Department Adjusts Chronic Wasting Disease Approach

Expands Management Area, Alters Deer Baiting Rules

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has updated its management approach for chronic wasting disease after discovering that five white-tailed deer tested positive last winter in Allegany County. One of the positive deer was harvested near Cumberland, approximately 10 miles west of all previous cases, marking the first documented case outside of the original Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area.

In response to this finding, the management area has been expanded to include all of Allegany County and the western portion of Washington County (see map in above link).

“Since discovering chronic wasting disease in West Virginia a decade ago, we have learned a significant amount about the disease and how hunters respond to it,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “With this data, we have elected to modify our response by lifting the ban on baiting or feeding deer within the area to ensure hunting remains popular in the region and adequate harvest levels are maintained.”

“Hunters are an essential part of combating the disease as they help keep deer numbers in check, slow its spread, and provide us with additional data collection and points,” Peditto said. “The presence of this naturally-occurring disease should not concern or stop hunters from enjoying the season or any venison they may acquire or consume.”

A total of 11 deer have tested positive for the disease in Maryland since 2010, all within Allegany County. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease in deer, elk and moose, and there is no evidence that humans are susceptible to it.

For more information on chronic wasting disease, please click here. Anyone with questions may contact the department at 410-260-8540.