CWD Surveillance Zone

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CWD SURVEILLANCE ZONE​

A CWD Surveillance Zone is in effect for the following counties: Ballard, Breckinridge, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Marshall, McCracken, Meade, Union, and Webster. Know the regulations before hunting in these counties.


REGULATIONS IN THE CWD SURVEILLANCE ZONE


Mandatory Sampling

Antlerless Season (Sept. 27–28):
Hunters in all CWD Surveillance Zone counties must drop off
the head of a harvested antlerless deer at a CWD Sample Drop-off site​.

Modern Gun Season (Nov. 8–10):
Hunters in Henderson, Union, and Webster counties must visit
a staffed check station or a CWD Sample Drop-off site​.

Baiting and Feeding Restrictions

For the 2025-2026 deer season, under the authority of the commissioner​, baiting is allowed with restrictions:

  • No contact style feeders (e.g., troughs, funnels, gravity feeders, etc.​)
  • Baiting is still banned on WMAs and public lands
  • Scent attractants and deer urine products remain permitted

Carcass Importation Prohibited

It is illegal to bring whole carcasses or high-risk parts (head, skull cap
with brain material, or spine) from out-of-state deer, elk, moose,
or caribou into Kentucky. See full regulation: ​  301 KAR 2:095.

​Carcass Transportation Restrictions

Only the following parts can be taken out of a CWD Surveillance Zone:

  • Deboned meat
  • Antlers (with or without clean skull cap)
  • Clean skull (no brain tissue)
  • Clean teeth
  • Hides
  • Finished taxidermy mounts

Rehabilitation of Cervids Prohibited​

Rehabilitating deer or other cervids is prohibited in the CWD Surveillance Zone. Any currently rehabilitated cervid must be released within the same county in which rehabilitation took place (per 301 KAR 2:075).



MANDATORY SAMPLING


Mandatory sampling requirements apply to all hunters, including license-exempt hunters, such as youths under 12 or landowners hunting on their own property, and those who take deer during these dates by other methods, such as muzzleloader or archery equipment. Deer given to others by a hunter during mandatory check dates must also be taken to a staffed CWD check station or a CWD Sample Drop-off site. All deer must be telechecked before coming to a check station.

Antlerless Season

When: Sept 27-28

Where: All CWD Surveillance Zone counties.

What to do: D​rop off the head of a legally ​harvested and telechecked ​antlerless deer at a CWD Sample Drop-off site.​ Only drop-off sites within the CWD Su​rveillance Zone may be used for deer taken within the zone. Staffed check stations are not available during this season.

​Important: Hunters must provide the harvest location when dropping off a sample. This information is kept private and is used by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to monitor deer population health and densities.​ Use the Know Before You Go map to find your grid square number, or provide a harvest address or GPS coordinates.​​

CWD testing is free of charge.​ Test results are typically available in 2-3 weeks.​

Modern Gun

When: First weekend of modern gun (Nov. 8–10)

Where: Henderson, Union, and Webster counties only.

What to do: Hunters must visit a staffed check station or a CWD Sample Drop-off site if hunting on these dates in these counties. Only drop-off sites within the CWD Surveillance Zone may be used for deer taken within the zone.

Important: Hunters must provide the harvest location when dropping off a sample. This information is ​kept private and is used by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to monitor deer population health and densities.​ Use the Know Before You Go map to find your grid square number, or provide a harvest address or GPS coordinates.

CWD testing is free of charge. Test results are typically available in 2-3 weeks.



​​CWD Sample Drop-off Sites

Availability: 24/7 through the CWD Surveillance Zone
Find CWD Drop-off site locations​

What to Drop Off

  • Deer head with at least 5 inches of neck attached
  • Antlers must be removed from bucks
  • Caped and skull-capped heads are accepted
  • Instructions, bags, and tags are provided at each site

What to Provide

  • Telecheck and licensing information
  • Harvest location (Know Before You Go grid number, 
    address, GPS coordinates)
  • Hunter contact information

Important: Retain the tear-off portion of your sample tag
as proof of checking your deer.

​Sta​ffed Check Stations

Dates & Times: November 8–10, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Central Time)
Location: Henderson, Union, and Webster counties (see table below for locations)​

What to Bring

  • The head of a deer, intact deer carcass, or field-dressed deer
  • Note: Tissue sampling will not harm heads or capes/hides for
    taxidermy — please inform staff if applicable

What to Provide

  • Telecheck and licensing information
  • Harvest location (Know Before You Go grid number, 
    address, GPS coordinates)​
  • Name of taxidermist or processor (if applicable)

Important: Keep the card verifying your visit with instructions to view test results (generally available in 2–3 weeks)



Staffed CWD Check Station Locations
COUNTY LOCATION NAME/ADDRESS CITY
Henderson
Henderson Co. Extension Office, 3341 Zion Road Henderson
Henderson
Sloughs WMA, 9956 KY-268 Corydon
Union
Higginson-Henry WMA, 6440 KY-56 E Morganfield
Union
Union Co. Extension Office, 1938 US-60 W Morganfield
Webster
Southern States, 1112 US-41 Sebree
Webster
Webster Co. Extension Office, 1118 US-41 ALT
Dixon
Webster
S&S Salvage, 701 US-41 ALT Providence


KNOW BEFORE YOU GO​

Before you hit the woods, check this map to determine the location of your harvest location. This location number can be used when you visit a staffed check station or a CWD Sample Drop-off site.


 






​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​CWD​ SURVEILLANCE ZONE FAQS

Please contact our Information Center at 1-800-858-1549 or Info.Center@ky.gov if you have any questions not answered below.


​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Mandatory Check

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​General
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