LDWF Expands Deer CWD Control Zone Before Cenla Hearings

Louisiana Expands Control Measures to Combat Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer Population

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is taking significant steps to address the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) among the state’s deer population. This initiative involves expanding the control area in northeast Central Louisiana, following recent detections of the disease.

To gather community input, two public hearings were held this week. Residents had the opportunity to learn about the proposed rule changes and provide feedback. The first hearing took place on July 26 near Columbia, at the Grayson Baptist Church Gymnasium, while the second was held on July 29 in Jena at the Jena Community Center. These events allowed attendees to ask questions and share their perspectives on the new measures.

The proposed expansion comes after the detection of a CWD-positive white-tailed deer in Catahoula Parish in March 2025. This marked the first confirmed case outside of Tensas Parish, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Louisiana to 40 since the disease was first identified in 2022.

Currently, a Declaration of Emergency (DE) that went into effect on May 1 includes a 25-mile radius around the Catahoula detection site. This area covers parts of Caldwell, Richland, LaSalle, and Catahoula parishes, as well as Franklin and Concordia. The new Notice of Intent (NOI) aims to officially codify this expansion and introduce additional restrictions.

Key Restrictions Introduced

• Supplemental Feeding and Baiting Restrictions: Within a 15-mile enhanced mitigation zone from any confirmed CWD case, baiting is completely banned. Beyond this zone, limited mechanical broadcast feeding is permitted in the broader control area.

• Movement of Deer Carcasses: Transport of whole deer outside the control area is prohibited, except for deer meat that is deboned, cut and wrapped, or quarters without head/spine. Other acceptable items include antlers, cleaned skull plates, hides, and mounted trophies. A taxidermy waiver allows for the transport of heads for mounting purposes.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurodegenerative prion disease that is always fatal for deer, elk, and other cervids. Prions can persist in the environment for years, making eradication extremely difficult once the disease spreads. There is currently no treatment or vaccine available.

Public Concerns and Responses

During the hearings, residents raised several practical concerns, including the impact on hunting seasons, local corn sales that are vital to farmers supplying hunters, and the logistics of testing and tracking the disease. Fines for violations such as illegal feeding were also a common topic of discussion.

Dr. Jonathan Roberts, State Wildlife Veterinarian, explained that if an animal shows signs of illness, it is likely that the disease has been spreading in the area for some time. Rusty Berry, Assistant State Veterinarian, emphasized that there is no vaccine and that the disease is always deadly. Therefore, the focus must remain on prevention and control efforts.

Jonathan Bordelon, Deer Program Manager, highlighted the importance of slowing the spread of the disease through the use of control zones and public cooperation. He encouraged hunters to take advantage of free testing for deer they harvest in those areas.

Next Steps and Public Involvement

Public comments on the Notice of Intent are accepted through August 5, 2025. Individuals can submit their feedback via email to jbordelon@wlf.la.gov or by mail to LDWF, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, La. 70898.

After the comment period, LDWF may adjust the proposal before the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission gives final approval, which is anticipated as early as August 2025. The department remains committed to protecting the long-term sustainability of the state’s wild deer herd through these proactive measures.