Hunt Smart, Fish Hard: Deer Urine & CWD

Here is an update from the DGIF web site about CWD & deer urine. It is illegal to possess or use products containing natural deer urine, scent gland secretions, or other bodily fluids while taking, attempting to take, attracting, or scouting wildlife in Virginia. The majority of natural deer lures and attractants are made with fluids and secretions collected from captive cervids. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been documented in numerous captive cervid herds, therefore the potential exists for these products to be contaminated with CWD prions. CWD has been confirmed in multiple captive deer herds certified as low risk for CWD and there is no way to either test the products for CWD or destroy CWD-causing prions. With the high level of uncertainty surrounding the use of such products, the Department proactively prohibited the use of them in order to minimize the potential for CWD introduction into new areas of Virginia.

Why is the use of these products risky? The infectious proteins (i.e., prions) known to transmit CWD have been found in the urine, feces, and saliva of infected individuals. CWD research conducted in Colorado showed that mule deer were able to be infected with CWD after exposure to just the urine, feces, and saliva of infected deer.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.