Transporting Antlered Game
Transporting Antlered Game in the age of CWD
Transporting Antlered Game in the age of CWD
Chronic wasting Disease (CWD) is a serious & lethal disease that affects all cervids,
(i.e. deer, elk, moose, & caribou). Wildlife managers are attempting to understand its
transfer and to control its spread. Therefore, many areas have instituted restrictions on
the transporting of either live or harvested animals.
With CWD now found in numerous states & Canadian Provinces, you CAN transport
your antlered trophy back home to your favorite taxidermist IF you do the following:
Before transporting, be sure you have removed & left behind the high risk parts - which
are the spine, brain, spinal cord, eyes, tonsils, spleen, & lymph nodes ( in the head)
Here’s how to prepare your trophy for transport:
1. Remove the cape/hide from the carcass. (You may want to have your guide/outfitter
or a local taxidermist complete this procedure)
2. Place cape/hide in a plastic bag and FREEZE it , or at least keep it as cold & dry as
possible.
3. Remove antlers & upper skull plate from rest of head by sawing through eye sockets
to back of skull.
4. Remove all brain matter (including the membrane that separates the brain from the
skull) & as much meat & tissue as possible leaving only the attached antlers and
partial upper skull.
5. The properly tagged cape/hide & antlers should now be able to be legally transported
from any CWD affected area to your local taxidermist.
6. Be sure to consult with the proper wildlife agencies to verify procedures & regulations
before the hunt. Some areas may require you to submit samples for CWD testing. A
list of CWD positive states can be found at cwd-info,org.
NOTE: Currently CWD is known to only affect antlered game (deer, elk, moose, & even
caribou). It is NOT found in antelope, sheep, goats, bears, buffalo, swine, or predators.
(i.e. deer, elk, moose, & caribou). Wildlife managers are attempting to understand its
transfer and to control its spread. Therefore, many areas have instituted restrictions on
the transporting of either live or harvested animals.
With CWD now found in numerous states & Canadian Provinces, you CAN transport
your antlered trophy back home to your favorite taxidermist IF you do the following:
Before transporting, be sure you have removed & left behind the high risk parts - which
are the spine, brain, spinal cord, eyes, tonsils, spleen, & lymph nodes ( in the head)
Here’s how to prepare your trophy for transport:
1. Remove the cape/hide from the carcass. (You may want to have your guide/outfitter
or a local taxidermist complete this procedure)
2. Place cape/hide in a plastic bag and FREEZE it , or at least keep it as cold & dry as
possible.
3. Remove antlers & upper skull plate from rest of head by sawing through eye sockets
to back of skull.
4. Remove all brain matter (including the membrane that separates the brain from the
skull) & as much meat & tissue as possible leaving only the attached antlers and
partial upper skull.
5. The properly tagged cape/hide & antlers should now be able to be legally transported
from any CWD affected area to your local taxidermist.
6. Be sure to consult with the proper wildlife agencies to verify procedures & regulations
before the hunt. Some areas may require you to submit samples for CWD testing. A
list of CWD positive states can be found at cwd-info,org.
NOTE: Currently CWD is known to only affect antlered game (deer, elk, moose, & even
caribou). It is NOT found in antelope, sheep, goats, bears, buffalo, swine, or predators.
Lawrey's Taxidermy
Address: 187 Pennypacker Rd,
Address: 187 Pennypacker Rd,
Mohnton, PA 19540
Cash or Check is Accepted for Payment.
Learn More
610-777-4647info@LawreysTaxidermy.com
