Hunters can no longer bring whole deer carcasses into Minnesota from anywhere in North America, beginning this fall, the Department of Natural Resources said Monday. This restriction includes not just deer, but elk, moose and caribou.
The restriction previously applied to animals harvested in areas of North America where chronic wasting disease (CWD) was present.
"We are making this change to respond to the increasing prevalence and geographic spread of CWD," said Adam Murkowski, DNR big game program leader.
Regardless where an animal is harvested outside of Minnesota, hunters can bring only these parts into the state:
• Meat that is boned out or that is cut and wrapped (either commercially or privately).
• Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached.
• Hides and teeth.
• Antlers or clean skull plates (no brain tissue attached) with antlers attached.
• Finished taxidermy mounts.
Nonresidents transporting whole or partial carcasses on a direct route through Minnesota are exempt from this restriction; however, similar restrictions exist in all surrounding states.
