Special Regulations in CWD Surveillance and Management Areas
Mandatory testing: During the 2026-27 deer hunting season there is no required mandatory sampling in the surveillance areas. Thanks to the support of hunters, Cervid Health Cooperators, and Commission staff, we exceeded CWD sampling goals by collecting more than 23,000 CWD samples during both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 hunting seasons. Voluntary CWD testing is available through drop-off freezers and Cervid Health Cooperators located across the state.
Map Legend
| Color | Area | Counties | Area Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| CWD Management Areas | Cumberland, Forsyth, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin. No Mandatory Testing. | Restrictions on fawn rehabilitation, wildlife feeding & baiting, and attractants & scents. |
| CWD Surveillance Areas | Edgecombe, Halifax, Martin, Pitt. No Mandatory Testing. | Restrictions on fawn rehabilitation, wildlife feeding & baiting, and attractants & scents. |
| Non-surveillance Areas | All counties not listed above. No Mandatory Testing. | No further restrictions on fawn rehabilitation, wildlife feeding & baiting, or attractants & scents. |
Use of Natural Deer Attractants/Scents: No person shall possess or use any substance or material that contains or is labeled as containing any excretion collected from a cervid, including feces, urine, blood, gland oil, or other bodily fluid for the purposes of taking or attempting to take, attracting, or scouting wildlife in a surveillance area or CWD management area. Natural substances collected by a hunter from a cervid legally harvested in North Carolina may NOT be used or possessed in these areas. This prohibition shall not apply to the following substances:
- Synthetic products that are labeled as such.
- Natural deer urine and other substances collected from a facility in North Carolina with a valid Farmed Cervid License from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) and identified/labeled as such.
- Products labeled as participating in the Responsible Hunting Scent Association’s Deer Protection Program.
Properly Dispose or CWD Grows!
Carcass Disposal Restrictions: The final disposition (either directly by a hunter or indirectly when hunters use a processor, taxidermist, or trash service) of non-edible portions of cervid carcasses and carcass parts originating from North Carolina shall be in one of the following methods:
- in a lined landfill
- buried 3 feet below ground and 300 feet
- from a waterbody; or
- lawfully left on the ground within the county of origin.
It is the hunter’s responsibility to dispose of deer carcasses after harvest in a safe and responsible manner. Follow deer carcass disposal restrictions and never dispose of carcasses in water, on roadsides, in waterways, or on other’s property without permission.
Wildlife Feeding: The placement of minerals or salt to purposely congregate wildlife is prohibited in surveillance areas and CWD management areas. The placement of bait, food, or food products to purposefully congregate wildlife is prohibited from Jan. 2 – Aug. 31 in surveillance areas and CWD management areas, except for:
- Bird feeders
- Hunting in urban archery seasons in participating municipalities
- Other activities specifically permitted by the Wildlife Commission
*NOTE: Baiting deer is legal in Surveillance Areas and and CWD Management Areas from Sept. 1–Jan. 1.
Fawn Rehabilitation: All fawn rehabilitation within primary and secondary surveillance areas is prohibited. Fawns may not be transported out of surveillance areas and cannot be accepted by fawn rehabilitators.
Disposal of Deer Harvested within North Carolina
(CWDMAP) Chronic Wasting Disease Management Assistance Program
This voluntary program provides hunters with additional deer tags to assist with management and surveillance of CWD on properties within a CWD Management Area, a Primary Surveillance Area or within 5 miles of a CWD positive. Individuals or entities who own, lease, or control exclusive hunting rights on the property may apply. There are no acreage limits for application.