CWD in Northwest Tennessee

Deer hunters in Northwest Tennessee are encountering some new restrictions this deer season. Recently, a 3.5-year-old doe discovered in Henry County, Tennessee was positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This sobering news has raised many questions from local hunters and wildlife officials. 

CWD is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system found in members of the deer family. This disease attacks the brains of infected animals which can cause them to become emaciated and display abnormal behavior. There is no evidence that CWD is a risk to humans; but, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends having deer meat harvested in a CWD positive area tested for CWD and that the meat from an animal that tests positive for CWD should not be consumed.

According to Amy Snider-Spencer, TWRA Outreach and Communications for Region 1, one of the biggest challenges has been fighting confusion and misinformation raised about CWD in Northwest Tennessee and how it differs from the core area, unit CWD.

The number of deer harvested is down from previous years, and this has impacted the agencies data collection. 

“We haven’t had as many deer tested this year as compared to last year and the year before,” said Snider-Spencer.

In Weakley County there have been 42 deer tested and 87 in Henry County with only one positive result. The number of positive cases are much less than those experienced in the core area of Unit CWD.

“We’ve had 20 positives in the core unit, with a total of 22 positive cases this year…when you look at our core area (Unit CWD) you’re seeing a lot more positives,” said Snider-Spencer.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has performed many tests that have been positive for CWD. TWRA has set up CWD units which have different hunting season dates and regulations. Weakley County has been added to the CWD High Risk Unit due to the close proximity to the Henry County line. Unit CWD includes Chester, Crockett, Fayette, Gibson, Hardemen, Haywood, Henderson, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Shelby, and Tipton counties. 

Henry County wasn’t included in Unit CWD as deer season was already ongoing at the time of the discovery. 

As far as the future of Henry and Weakley counties staying in Unit L next year, that decision will have to wait until next summer. 

“Hunting regulations will be reset in the summer and that will be considered then,” said Snider-Spencer.

According to the TWRA, there are ways to fight CWD. One way is to report harvest locations. The TWRA On the Go app has a feature that allows you to drop a pin in the location where you have harvested a deer. This feature will help management know where the deer was harvested and if it has CWD or not.

Another way to fight CWD is to keep hunting. Harvesting deer and having them tested in high-risk and positive counties. Fewer deer lead to fewer CWD-Positive Deer which leads to less CWD transfer. Lastly, carcass transportation restrictions for Tennessee should be honored if hunting out-of-state, or exporting from CWD affected areas. 

Big game license holders are currently able to harvest 2 antlered deer in a season. 

Although testing a harvested deer for CWD is not required, it is highly recommended to help TWRA’s data.

A Harvest Incentive Program is being offered in Unit CWD. The program will feature two levels of rewards to incentivize deer harvest. The top tier prize would be a free sportsman’s license for 2021-22.

You cannot earn a buck in Weakley or Henry counties, however people who harvest a positive deer will be issued a voucher to replace the diseased deer. 

“If you kill a (CWD) positive deer you’re going to get a replacement buck, but you won’t be able to earn a buck,” said Snider-Spencer.

Supplemental feed restrictions are here to stay as providing grain or salt to white-tailed deer can put them at a greater risk of catching CWD. 

“It congregates deer in a small area and therefore can actually increase the chance of a deer contracting CWD,” said Snider-Spencer.

To fight confusion and misinformation regarding CWD in Tennessee, visit TWRA’s official website, tnwildlife.gov. To stay up to date, sign up for the TWRA Newsletter at www.tn.gov/twra.

This article was co-written by Evan Parkhill and Faith Davis.

Pacer Photo / Evan Parkhill Graphics Courtesy of TWRA