By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist

The deadline for reporting exotic chronic wasting disease (CWD)-susceptible species mortality records and inventory is quickly approaching.

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has requested annually mortality records and inventory forms be submitted before midnight on April 1.

TAHC classifies North American elk or wapiti, black-tailed deer, red deer, reindeer, sika deer, moose and any associated subspecies or hybrids as exotic CWD-susceptible species. Axis deer are not listed as a susceptible species.

Owners of high-fenced premises where the classified species are located are required by TAHC to keep an annual inventory.

Mortality records are also requested from owners of low-fenced premises where exotic CWD-susceptible species are located. Records should be kept for hunter-harvested or natural mortalities of animals 16 months of age or older.

Landowners can obtain an inventory form or mortality record form from TAHC’s website.

Self-generated mortality record forms will also be accepted by TAHC if it includes the following items:

  • Date the exotic CWD-susceptible species died or was harvested
  • Species, age and gender
  • Any RFID or NUES tag number affixed to the animal
  • Any other ID number, official or unofficial, on the animal
  • The accession number and collection date if a CWD sample was collected

Completed forms can be submitted by email to CWD_reports@tahc.texas.gov, by fax to 512-719-0729 or by mail to the following address:

Texas Animal Health Commission
Attention: CWD Susceptible Species Reporting
P.O. Box 12966, Austin, Texas 78711-2966.

Click here for more information on exotic CWD susceptible species.