SPOKANE, Wash. — To manage the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has enacted an emergency rule banning the feeding of deer, elk, and moose in parts of its Eastern Region 1.
The emergency rule makes it an infraction to place, deposit, distribute, or scatter feed—such as grain, hay, minerals, salt, fruit, or other substances—to attract deer, elk, or moose in WDFW’s Game Management Units (GMUs) 124 (Mount Spokane), 127 (Micah Peak), and 130 (Cheney) (see attached map).
First case of chronic wasting disease in Washington confirmed in Spokane County
These GMUs were selected because they are near where a deer in north Spokane County tested positive for CWD earlier this year.
RELATED: Chronic wasting disease detected in white-tailed deer near Bonners Ferry
This rule does not affect normal agricultural practices, including the cultivation, production, and harvest of crops like fruit, vegetables, hay, and grains, or animal husbandry related to domestic livestock and poultry. The full text of the emergency rule change is available on the WDFW website.