CWD & EHD by county
Texas disease risk map.
Texas confirmed its first wild CWD detection in 2012 in West Texas. TPWD has implemented Containment Zones in affected areas with mandatory testing. Verify current zone boundaries and rules with TPWD.
Confirm CWD management zones, sampling requirements, and carcass transport rules with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and USDA APHIS before hunting.
CWD detection timeline
CWD detection timeline
2010 – 2026
Texas county detections
Where it's been found.
Counties below have CWD detection records on file. Click for the county-level page.
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 Texas
Texas 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, Texas.
Is CWD present in Texas?+
Yes. Texas has confirmed CWD detections since 2012. Verify current management-zone boundaries with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
What are the Texas 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 Texas?+
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 Texas?+
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.
Primary sources
- CWD sourceTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- EHD sourceTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
- FederalUSDA APHIS — Chronic Wasting Disease
- Hunter resourceNational Deer Association
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.
Start free trial →