TAHC Reminds Hunters of Chronic Wasting Disease Requirements for Exotic Susceptible Species in Texas

Media Contact: TAHC Communications
public_info@tahc.texas.gov
512.719.0750
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2025

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reminds Texans of statewide exotic chronic wasting disease (CWD) susceptible species requirements for hunter harvested captive exotic susceptible species.

Exotic CWD susceptible species include North American elk or wapiti, black tailed deer, red deer, reindeer, caribou, sika deer, moose, muntjac deer, and any associated subspecies and hybrids.

TAHC requirements for captive exotic CWD susceptible species are in place to help protect cervids in Texas from the disease. It is important to stay current on TAHC regulations for surveillance, movement, reporting, identification, and record keeping for harvested, captured, or bred exotic susceptible species.

Properties where Captive Exotic CWD Susceptible Species are Hunter Harvested

Each calendar year, the owner of a premises with captive exotic CWD susceptible species must test all eligible mortalities until three valid test results are obtained and reported to the TAHC. An eligible mortality is a death from any cause, including hunter harvest, herd culling, natural mortalities on the premises, and animals moved directly to slaughter, of an exotic CWD susceptible species that is 12 months of age or older. The owner of the premises shall ensure that the CWD samples are properly collected and submitted for testing within seven days. The owner must report to the TAHC within 14 days of receiving the valid test results.

Additionally, landowners are required to keep mortality records of all captive exotic CWD susceptible species, 12 months of age or older, and submit the records to the TAHC on or before April 1 of each year.

All testing and record reporting shall be submitted by writing to the Texas Animal Health Commission, CWD Susceptible Species Reporting, P.O. Box 12966, Austin, Texas 78711-2966; by fax to (512) 719-0729; or by email to CWD_reports@tahc.texas.gov.

Owners Moving or Transporting Live Exotic CWD Susceptible Species

All live exotic CWD susceptible species moved or transported within the state must have official identification (ID). The movement of live exotic CWD susceptible species between premises, requires both owners to obtain a Premises Identification Number (PIN) or Location Identification Number (LID) from the TAHC or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). For more information on PINs, LIDs, and official ID, contact the TAHC Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Department at 512-719-0733 or animal_id@tahc.texas.gov.

An owner of a premises where captive exotic CWD susceptible species are located shall keep an annual inventory and mortality record for all exotic CWD susceptible species. The inventory and mortality record shall be reconciled and submitted to TAHC on or before April 1 of each year. Owners must retain annual inventory records for five years and mortality records for one year following submission.

A complete movement record for all live exotic CWD susceptible species moved on or off a premises shall be submitted to the TAHC. The person moving the animals must have documentation with the exotic CWD susceptible species being moved. This record shall be submitted within 48 hours of the movement and be directed to the TAHC by writing the Texas Animal Health Commission, CWD Susceptible Species Reporting, P.O. Box 12966, Austin, Texas 78711-2966; by fax to (512)-719-0729; or by email to CWD_reports@tahc.texas.gov. Owners must retain movement records for five years following submission.

Dealer Record Keeping Requirements for Exotic CWD Susceptible Species

A dealer shall maintain records for all exotic CWD susceptible species transported within the state or where there is a transfer of ownership and provide these to a TAHC representative upon request. Records required to be kept under §40.5(h)(1-7) shall be maintained for no less than five years from the date of movement.
For more information on CWD and CWD requirements:
• TAHC Exotic CWD Susceptible Species Page: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/animal_health/elk-deer/#cwdexotic
• TPWD CWD Page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/
• Official movement requirements are always available in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 4, Part 2. Official TAHC exotic CWD susceptible species movement requirements:
https://bit.ly/TAHCExoticCWDSusceptibleSpecies
• Unofficial summary of TAHC exotic CWD susceptible species requirements: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/regs/pdf/MovementRequirements_Exotics-Ratites.pdf