Louisiana Ratifies 15-Mile CWD Zones as 55 Infected Deer Prompt New Hunting Rules
Updated
Updated · wlf.louisiana.gov · Jun 4
Louisiana Ratifies 15-Mile CWD Zones as 55 Infected Deer Prompt New Hunting Rules
2 articles · Updated · wlf.louisiana.gov · Jun 4
Summary
Louisiana's wildlife commission ratified an emergency declaration creating Chronic Wasting Disease management zones, replacing the former control-area framework after SCR 24 passed in the 2026 legislative session.
The zones use 5-mile and 15-mile boundaries around confirmed detections, and baiting or feeding will be allowed Sept. 1-March 31, 2027 only if the prior surveillance season meets sampling goals.
Apparent CWD prevalence of 2.5% to 20% will trigger a baiting ban for the following surveillance season, while new detections outside existing zones will require a new emergency declaration.
Deer carcasses generally cannot be exported from a management zone, though boned-out meat, cleaned skulls, hides, finished mounts and some taxidermy transfers are exempt.
Louisiana has found 55 CWD-positive deer since its first case in 2022, mostly in Tensas Parish; zones can be removed after three straight surveillance seasons with no detections and sampling goals met.