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Tennessee targets deer from chronic wasting disease states

A white-tailed deer stands on a ridge overlooking the Missouri River south of Great Falls, Mont. When it comes to bringing home a buck, more and more hunters are interested in big, impressive antler racks, writes outdoors columnist Larry Case — and that's where having a quality deer population counts.
A white-tailed deer stands on a ridge overlooking the Missouri River south of Great Falls, Mont. When it comes to bringing home a buck, more and more hunters are interested in big, impressive antler racks, writes outdoors columnist Larry Case — and that's where having a quality deer population counts.

By Associated Press 1 min read

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is warning hunters about restrictions on bringing deer carcasses into the state to help avoid the spread of chronic wasting disease.

The wildlife agency says that there were three instances on the opening day of gun season in which deer were brought into Middle Tennessee from states where the disease is found in deer, elk or moose. The animals were confiscated and court cases are pending.

Tennessee has carcass import restrictions from 24 states and two Canadian provinces. Among Tennessee’s neighboring states, those restrictions apply to Arkansas ,Missouri and to Frederick and Shenandoah counties in Virginia.

Those rules ban bringing in carcasses other than meat that has had bones removed; antlers or cleaned skulls; cleaned teeth; finished taxidermy; or hides and tanned products.