Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease that affects the brains of deer, elk, moose, and other members of the deer family, creating holes that resemble those in sponges. It is always fatal to the animal, and no treatment or vaccine against CWD exists at this time. CWD has been confirmed in wild deer in Oklahoma and wild deer and/or elk in surrounding states including Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.

When a wild deer or elk tests positive for CWD, ODWC activates its CWD Response Strategy. This includes designation of Selected Surveillance Areas (SSA) in Cimarron, Texas, and Woodward counties, and parts of Major and Woods counties.

Hunters who harvest deer or elk within the boundaries of an SSA must process those animals before leaving the SSA. Click below to learn about exceptions.

CWD Carcass Transport Rules

To lead more about CWD, go here.