Hunting Regulations & Restrictions

While we do our best to keep this site updated with current information regarding CWD in BC, it is pragmatic to check this page for any in-season changes to the mandatory testing requirement as well as the BC provincial hunting guidelines.

Regulations & Restrictions

Dylan Eyers with Hunters for BC & Eat Wild CWD Butchering in CWD Region

Chronic Wasting Disease Hunting Regulations

While we do our best to keep this site updated with current information regarding CWD in BC, please double-check this page for any in-season changes to the mandatory testing requirement as well as the BC provincial hunting guidelines.

Cervid Carcass Transportation

The transport of brain tissue or spinal column (except for the tail) of any cervid, harvested within CWD Management Zone (MUs 4-1 to 4-8 and 4-20 to 4-25), is prohibited outside of the CWD Management Zone. Transport of brain tissue or spinal column is permitted within the CWD Management Zone to allow for submission of CWD samples.

For more information, see page 15 of the Regulations Synopsis (PDF, 12.2MB).

Hunters should contact the Wildlife Health Program at 250-751-3219 or CWD@gov.bc.ca to discuss options for transporting cervids where travel outside of the CWD Management Zone is required for access to a CWD freezer.

Best practices for field dressing in CWD areas

To limit the spread of CWD within the CWD Management Zone, it is advised that all non-edible parts of the animal be left at or near the kill site or disposed of safely at a landfill or designated disposal site. De-boning the animal at the kill site is the best practice to limit any waste material that is transported away from the harvest site.

For more information, see these instructional videos on how to field dress and de-bone animals in CWD areas.

Restrictions for roadkill

All deer, elk, moose and caribou found dead and collected from the initial response area must be submitted to a government testing site or drop-off location for testing. Designated disposal sites for road-killed cervids include the Central Regional Landfill – 600 Eager Hill Road or the Cranbrook Wildlife Office. To arrange drop-off at the Cranbrook Wildlife Office, contact Ken Walburger at ken.walburger@gov.bc.ca or 250-420-6371 (during business hours). The transport, disposal and use (for trapping) of road-killed cervids in the CWD Management Zone is regulated by the Chief Veterinary Officer under the authority of the B.C. Animal Health Act. A General Order CWD2024-002 (PDF, 255 KB) was issued in September 2024 and applies to the boundaries of the CWD Management Zone (PDF, 1.6MB), defined as MUs 4-1 to 4-8, and 4-20 to 4-25.

Information for trappers

Any road-killed cervid collected in the CWD Management Zone for the purposes of trapping must be tested and confirmed negative for CWD before the carcass can be used for bait.

Mandatory CWD testing

Visit the surveillance and testing page for information on mandatory CWD testing requirements and sample drop-off locations.

Please double-check this page for any in-season changes to the mandatory testing requirement, as well as the BC provincial hunting guidelines.