Purpose: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurologic disease of cervids including deer, elk, moose, and caribou. It is caused by infectious proteins called prions that are transmitted directly from animal to animal or indirectly through environments. There is no cure or vaccine for CWD, and the disease is always fatal. It can only be confirmed through testing of an animal's lymph nodes or brainstem tissue. The purpose of the rule is to aid in sample collection, reduce the concentration of animals, and reduce the likelihood of disease transmission through transportation of carcasses. The emergency rules also prohibit scents that could contain cervid urine or glandular tissue in the area surrounding the detection, as these scents can contain the disease.

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: Recently, CWD cases have been confirmed in Washington state. As a result, testing for the disease and limiting the potential spread of the disease are now more important than ever. These emergency rules are intended to increase testing by making it mandatory to test salvaged and harvested animals in the area surrounding the detection. Also to reduce the potential spread of the disease, emergency rules will prohibit the transportation of deer, elk, and moose from the region surrounding the detection area and prohibit baiting during hunting in the area near the detection. The effect of CWD is always fatal on cervids.

Effective August 22, 2024, and until further notice, notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-415-020, WAC 220-415-030, WAC 220-415-050, WAC 220-415-060 and 220-415-070, the salvage possession requirements of WAC 220-400-040 for deer, elk and moose are modified as contained herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-415-020, WAC 220-415-030, WAC 220-415-050, WAC 220-415-060 and 220-415-070 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:

In GMUs 124, 127, and 130 salvagers must submit the whole head with at least 3 inches of the neck attached or extracted lymph nodes to WDFW for chronic wasting disease sampling within 3 days of receiving a salvage permit.

Effective August 22, 2024, and until further notice, notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-415-020, WAC 220-415-030, WAC 220-415-050, WAC 220-415-060 and 220-415-070, the transportation, importation, and retention requirements of WAC 220-413-030 for deer, elk and moose are modified as contained herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-415-020, WAC 220-415-030, WAC 220-415-050, WAC 220-415-060 and 220-415-070 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:

(1) It is unlawful:

(a) To transport deer, elk, or moose, or parts thereof, taken from within 100 series GMUs in areas that require a Washington state hunting license, to other areas of Washington state, with the following exceptions:

(b) To import or possess meat that has been deboned in the state or province where it was harvested and is imported as boned-out meat, or meat that has been deboned within 100 series GMUs and is transported as boned-out meat to other areas of the state;

(2) It is unlawful for an importer or receiver of deer, elk, or moose to fail to notify the department within 24 hours if a state, province, tribe, or laboratory alerts the importer or receiver that a harvested animal has tested positive for chronic wasting disease. Violation of this subsection is an infraction punishable under RCW 77.15.160 Infractions.

Effective September 1, 2024, and until further notice, notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-415-020, WAC 220-415-030, WAC 220-415-050, WAC 220-415-060 and 220-415-070, the hunting reporting requirements of WAC 220-413-100 for deer, elk and moose are modified as contained herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-415-020, WAC 220-415-030, WAC 220-415-050, WAC 220-415-060 and 220-415-070 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:

In GMUs 124, 127, and 130 successful deer, elk or moose hunters must present the whole head with at least 3 inches of the neck attached or extracted lymph nodes to WDFW for chronic wasting disease sampling within 3 days of harvesting.

Effective September 1, 2024, and until further notice, notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-415-020, WAC 220-415-030, WAC 220-415-050, WAC 220-415-060 and 220-415-070, the baiting requirements of WAC 220-414-030 for deer, elk and moose are modified as contained herein. All other provisions of WAC 220-415-020, WAC 220-415-030, WAC 220-415-050, WAC 220-415-060 and 220-415-070 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:

In GMUs 124, 127, and 130, it is unlawful to hunt deer, elk or moose using:

(1) Any type of bait placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, scattered, or otherwise used for the purpose of attracting deer or elk with the intent to hunt them.

(2) Natural or synthetic scents that contain or are derived from cervid urine and glandular extracts.