Protect Oregon’s Herds

There is a fatal and highly infectious disease that is killing deer and elk across North America, and we need every hunter’s help keeping it out of Oregon. It has been found in three bordering states – Washington, California and Idaho - and could spread to Oregon’s herds. We need your help monitoring the health of our herds across the entire state by getting your harvest tested for Chronic Wasting Disease.

There are 4 easy ways to get your harvest tested. All of them are quick and easy. You can visit a participating meat processor, a participating taxidermist, make an appointment at an ODFW office, or stop at a check station. Choose the testing method that works the best for you, but get your harvest tested. The future of Oregon’s deer and elk populations depends on early detection. Early detection happens with testing. We need every hunter doing their part to protect Oregon’s herds.

Win Prizes for CWD Testing

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) is partnering with ODFW to encourage hunters to get their deer and elk tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) this season.

For every deer or elk they get tested this season, hunters will be entered to win either a Howa 1500 .223 with mounted Nikko Sterling Gamepro 4-12x40mm Scope combo or a Sig Sauer Whiskey3 4-12x40mm Quadplex scope. OHA is providing these prizes and will draw the winner on April 30, 2025.

What is CWD?

Chronic Wasting Disease or CWD is an always fatal, incurable, infectious disease that impacts deer, elk, and moose. CWD can cause declines in deer and elk populations and because of that it can affect elk and deer hunting. Hunter harvested animals that test positive for CWD almost never have outward signs of CWD and appear normal. Infected animals can carry it and spread it for a long time, several years, without visible clinical signs. No state or country has successfully eradicated it but there are ways to help limit its impact. Early detection is our best tool because if we find it early, we may be able to isolate it. Early detection is only possible with statewide participation from all hunters.

Stay Informed

Don’t miss out on important updates and newly posted resources about CWD. Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest news and announcements from ODFW about CWD. Be the first to know about new resources and important news and information. Join the mailing list now and start receiving these periodic email updates. Remember, you can unsubscribe at any time.

Animal Parts and Scent Lures

If you harvest a deer, elk, moose or caribou in any other state or Canadian province, it is illegal to bring any part of an animal containing central nervous system tissue (brain and spinal column) back into Oregon. Hunters who bring illegal parts into Oregon will have those parts and potentially their entire harvested animal confiscated and may be liable for the cost of incinerating them.‌‌‌

In 2019, Oregon State Legislature passed a law banning‌‌ the use of products containing commercial deer or elk urine (scent lures) in Oregon as part of efforts across North America to reduce the risk of spreading CWD.‌‌‌ Hunters or businesses who have these products should safely dispose of them by bringing them to an ODFW district office.

For more guidance on these bans, please see the Parts Ban section (pg. 16) and Prohibited Methods section (pg. 19) under General Hunting Regulations in the 2024 Big Game Hunting Regulations.

Report a Wildlife or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity 
Call 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone
Email TIP@osp.oregon.gov​ between hours of 8:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday – Friday

ODFW Messenger: Hunting Update | September 2024