CWD & EHD by county

Tennessee disease risk map.

CWD PositiveEHD: OccasionalFirst CWD 2018

Tennessee confirmed its first wild CWD detection in 2018 in southwestern Tennessee. TWRA has implemented a CWD Unit with mandatory sampling. Tennessee offers free testing of harvested deer in CWD counties.

Verify before hunting

Confirm CWD management zones, sampling requirements, and carcass transport rules with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and USDA APHIS before hunting.

CWD detection timeline

CWD detection timeline

20162026

2018first2026recent

Carcass transport rules

If hunting in a CWD-positive area, follow your state agency's carcass transport rules — most agencies prohibit moving whole carcasses with brain or spinal tissue across designated zone boundaries. Verify the current rules with your state wildlife agency before transporting any harvest.

CWD testing

Most state wildlife agencies offer free or low-cost CWD testing of harvested deer at check stations or sample-drop locations during season. Contact the state agency for current testing locations and turnaround times.

EHD activity in Tennessee

Tennessee sees occasional EHD outbreak history. EHD is not transmissible to humans, and meat from clinically healthy deer is safe to consume. Watch for the disease-specific signs reported by hunters and biologists in late summer.

Hunter FAQ

Common questions, Tennessee.

  • Is CWD present in Tennessee?+

    Yes. Tennessee has confirmed CWD detections since 2018. Verify current management-zone boundaries with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

  • What are the Tennessee carcass transport rules?+

    If hunting in a CWD-positive area, follow your state agency's carcass transport rules — most agencies prohibit moving whole carcasses with brain or spinal tissue across designated zone boundaries. Verify the current rules with your state wildlife agency before transporting any harvest.

  • How do I get CWD testing in Tennessee?+

    Most state wildlife agencies offer free or low-cost CWD testing of harvested deer at check stations or sample-drop locations during season. Contact the state agency for current testing locations and turnaround times.

  • How active is EHD in Tennessee?+

    Occasional EHD outbreak history. EHD is not transmissible to humans and meat from clinically healthy deer remains safe to consume.

  • Is venison from CWD or EHD-affected deer safe to eat?+

    EHD is not transmissible to humans. For CWD, the CDC and major health agencies recommend that hunters test deer harvested from CWD-positive zones and not consume meat from animals that test positive. No human cases of CWD have been documented.

Track herd health on your land.

State maps tell you the perimeter. Bield: Hunt records every observation, every recovery, every condition — so the trend on your land shows up before the agency reports do.

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