Archery and crossbow season for deer hunting in Zone D begins tomorrow, October 26th, on lands outside of wildlife management areas. This year’s hunting season comes with new regulations aimed at managing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Florida’s deer population.
CWD Management Efforts
Following the first confirmed case of CWD in a Florida deer in June 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has implemented measures to monitor and control the disease.
These include the establishment of a CWD Management Zone with special regulations, as well as additional rules for hunting in Zone D.
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“Florida’s early detection puts us in a best-case scenario for CWD management, as a smaller outbreak is more realistic to contain,” said the FWC’s CWD Surveillance Coordinator, James Kelly. “Hunters are our first line of defense in managing this disease by voluntarily submitting samples for testing and following these new regulations. Each sample helps us track the spread of the disease and informs our strategies to manage it effectively.”
Key Regulation Changes
- Increased Antlerless Deer Opportunities in DMU D2: Hunters can now take antlerless deer throughout the entire deer season in Deer Management Unit D2 (except in wildlife management areas). Up to three antlerless deer can be included in the statewide annual bag limit of five.
- Feeding and Carcass Transport Restrictions within the CWD Management Zone:
- Feeding deer is allowed only during deer hunting season.
- Exporting whole deer carcasses and high-risk parts from the CWD Management Zone is prohibited. Hunters can export deboned meat, finished taxidermy mounts, clean hides and antlers, and cleaned skulls, skull caps, and teeth.
- The FWC recommends leaving carcasses and unwanted parts on the property where the deer was harvested, disposing of them in household garbage (double-bagged), or taking them to a lined landfill.
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CWD Testing
- Hunters are encouraged to have deer harvested in areas with CWD tested before consuming the meat.
- The FWC offers free CWD testing throughout the hunting season.
- Test results can take up to 30 days due to the volume of samples processed.
Resources for Hunters
Hunters can find detailed information about CWD, sampling locations, and the new regulations on the FWC website: MyFWC.com/CWD
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