The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reminding people that regulations remain in effect in response to chronic wasting disease (CWD).
The disease is now confirmed in Fayette, Hardeman and Madison counties. The proximity of these CWD positive locations to border counties have added Chester, Haywood, McNairy, Shelby, and Tipton to the CWD Management Zone (CMZ).
Feeding wildlife is prohibited in the CMZ. You may not place grain, salt products, minerals, or other consumable natural and manufactured products with very few exceptions. The ban does not apply to feed placed within 100 feet of a residence such as bird feeders, feed placed in a manner not accessible to deer, or feed and minerals as the result of normal agricultural practices. If you have had feed placed, you must remove the feed or make it inaccessible. Food plots are still legal in the CMZ.
Feeding sites increase contact between deer thereby increasing the likely spread of CWD. So, by not feeding wildlife, you are helping prevent the spread of CWD.
So far 185 deer have tested positive for CWD out of the over 3,000 deer sampled this season. For up to date information visit CWDinTennessee.com.