Florida FWC new rule re CWD

The FWC in its infinite wisdom has changed its rule regarding importation if deer into the state. The previous rule permitted deer from Alabama and Georgia to be brought in to the state of Florida with a permit and reporting with all other deer from all other states having to be deboned. The new rule now requires all deer to be deboned.
Im a Florida resident but I have as much Bama blood in me than any Bama native. I hunt Alabama only an hour from my home. Im not a young man anymore either and I hunt by myself a lot. My lease is in a remote area if I get a deer in the morning, ok I can bone it out but the last thing I want to do in the dark in the middle of the woods is debone a deer after a PM hunt. Also if the deer is one I want to mount I have to use an Alabama taxidermist unless I fully cape it out. So we shall see if I comply or not. The new rule is just over kill

Are you sure about this ??

join the GO OUTLAW club

Gig.....you killed that deer in Fla...didnt you....The deer aint talking, thats for sure.

Yep. If I just want to quarter up a deer at the camp in AL and take home to finish processing it in FL - has to be deboned. If you want to kill a deer in AL and get the taxidermy done in FL, you don't just have to cape it, you have to get it off of the skull/brains, etc. Up in the midwest, taxidermists do this like the processors do, you can take it to them and they'll get it prepped for legal travel to take to your local taxidermist to finish up. Last year you could go to the website and put your info in and get a permit to print out to carry one in from AL.

Join the club

I hunt 20 minutes from my house but in Tennessee. Same laws apply here

States literally are making regulations and laws that are going to drive away hunters or create outlaws. All in the name of "Do something!"

Hunting used to be easy and fun.

When the government overreaches, do what you have to. Friend hunts in Tennessee with same crap, one mile over state-line. Does what he has to. "Law-abidin', but not under O'biden" Use your head, you'll figure it out.

For me it's easy to want to just bring it back, but if you get caught, they'll probably give you a fine and surely confiscate your meat and horns. As far as the meat goes, its pretty easy to bone it out hanging. The only thing that's a pain in the ass is the shoulders. A smaller buck is easy also just cut the skull cap. The problem comes if you kill one you want to mount (which is also the last one you'd want taken away). I guess I'd have to cape and cap it or have somebody in Al mount it. It sucks, but I don't want to risk having a deer confiscated.

Caping isn’t that hard if you have right tools

But it could be a PITA in the dark unless you have good lights

My question is why?????

Where has there been a problem with the way it was done, where are outbreaks????

most deer hunters have no clue how to cape out a buck.

It's gonna put a bad hurtin on Fla taxidermists. Got one back last week. He told me, here you go, this is the last one I can do for you from Al. I told him I guess all my deer are coming from Fl from now on.

If your in my part of Alabama just bring it by and I'll cape it out for you no charge! I will say, I do mount more out of state deer now than ever before.

You don’t need an outbreak. You only need ONE.

Unfortunately, Matt is 100% spot on here.

CWD is much more likely to walk across state lines than to be carried across.
That said, some caution is warranted.

I already deal with this issue now bringing deer in from TN. Been that way for past two seasons. The doe population is going up rapidly. I will not nor will i allow my boys to shoot a doe on my property in TN. Too big of a headache to deal with the processing end to get it back into Alabama. Oh and for those that want to give it a try and sneak one back across the state line into Alabama they are waiting and watching. Wardens have been guarding state line watching. On I65 they position themselves on the overpasses to see down into truck beds and use drones to see i to the truck beds as well. They are issuing tickets for what i have been told to be a $5,000 fine. Not worth it. Me and my boys will just shoot our meat deer in Alabama.

And then what happens with the ONE? Where has it been proven that even ONE case has been brought across state lines from a deer being quartered up on ice in a cooler?

the answer to that is ZERO.....

I'm curious here.... it's been proven that it can be passed from contact with the meat/blood of an infected animal.... the fact that there may not be a case yet of it specifically doing so from a cooler full of it justifies to you putting the entire state's deer population, and everyone in the state's hunting so you can bring a couple of does across state lines? Am I tracking?

No, you're not tracking b/c I didn't do that you just made up some scenario and don't think you actually even proof read what you wrote. If it can be passed via blood or meat, then we should outlaw all forms of hunting b/c you know what happens when you shoot a deer? They bleed. I'm not gonna have an argument about how CWD gets passed around deer to deer b/c the scientists aren't even 100% positive themselves. I'm just saying it's a stupid law they passed b/c it gave them the warm fuzzies that they were saving the deer herd from CWD somehow.

Ok I wasn’t tracking..... so what was the point of this question? Especially if you’re not wanting to argue how it spreads.

Rhetorical. Making a point about a stupid law. Making a point about the ONE portion of his response. He was correcting that person on they are not trying to avoid an outbreak, that they are just trying to avoid ONE case...well, that's b/c they are afraid ONE case will lead to an outbreak. And when that outbreak does happen, it won't be caused by a bunch of hind quarters in a cooler. And also I'm sure he knows the states plan to deal with an outbreak will kill more deer than the outbreak itself.

Let’s just look at facts. Not theories.

Fact. CWD is a prion disease.

Fact. It can be found in neurological, spinal and bone tissue, as well as other areas.

Fact. People discard those parts of deer after processing.

Fact. Disposal exposes those prions to the environment.

Fact. That environment is where it can be exposed to living animals.

Once in the environment there is NO TAKING IT BACK.

It’s not like saying “Oops, well we messed up. Let’s clean up the mess and get it out of here.”

It’s more like, “It’s here now. Y’all boys and gals hang on. This is gonna be interesting.”

Like freestatehunter stated, are you truly willing to place an entire population of deer, and the most important recreational opportunity in existence, at risk for everyone over a minor personal inconvenience? Once the first state says “Hey y’all, we’ve got irrefutable evidence that Johnny dumping infected deer parts in the gully has infected wild deer in x county”, it is far too late to do something about then. It’s not worth the risk to me and states banning interstate transfer of infected parts is very wise and prudent in my opinion. That’s all I’m saying about that. Y’all can disagree or agree until you’re all blue in the face. It is what it is. Proactive measures is what stops or slows the spread of this disease. Reactive measures are too late.

Didn’t you submit comments during commentary period against it? They claim most FL hunters commented supporting the import ban. Personally I think the FWC guy behind this and most other FWC rules is a bonehead. Though in this case I would rather be inconvenienced having to debone my deer or use an AL processor than risk bringing a disease into FL that would wipe out the deer herd. Definitely fire him for FL private property antlerless rules but not for this.

All these "import / export" rules have changed the way we have to operate the skinning shed at our charity hunt. Used to be skin, quarter, ice , and go( no gutting). I spent 4-5 hours this year caping and de-boning deer with 3 other guys to get them ready for transport. 1/2 our hunters are from FL - number we will have to de-bone will triple because they shoot the most deer. But it is for a good cause- we netted right at $52k this year for our charities.

Matt

So here is my question in relation to your post above. I do not dispute the science or the fact that CWD is a killer. Tell me why if I as a land owner shoot a deer in the state of Tennessee and break that animal down and to the point of being able to transport it across into Alabama does this prevent the unwanted spread of the disease. It does not. All i have done is leave the tissue exposed on the property where i left the guts, bones and brain mater for that population to be exposed. If i am near the state line the effort taken to dispose of the tissue has done little to stop the spread of the disease if it existed in the harvested animal. i would assume it actually caused more exposure than if it were walking on the hoof.

So to my question. Why would it not make a larger stab at isolating the spread of CWD if there were designated dump sites that were not accessible to native deer herds. Dump sights that processors or sportsmen could utilize that the state could maintain control of the situation better than leaving it to chance. Just thoughts.

Truth is this does not inconvenience me one bit. I already get all of mine processed or mounted in AL. I still am allowed to think it’s stupid and pointless. The chances of this disease spreading across state lines naturally is much higher than vs in a cooler. If AL has an outbreak, it’s only a matter of time it gets into FL even if they stop and check every single vehicle coming across state lines. Where in the country has there been just a giant outbreak so far, is there really a state known for having deer numbers where the deer herd has been just decimated by CWD?

PS: since we’re all about hunting regulations that will save the population I’m all for lowering the Turkey limit to 3 mainly because I can’t even kill 1!

I understand the inconveniences. We can't move our deer across county lines in Missouri unless it is to a processor within 48 hours of kill. I process my own and it is a pain. When I hunt other properties I can't bring the deer back to my place to process.

My son shot his 1st deer last fall and we couldn't bring the antlers back. Luckily a buddy boiled it and I picked it up the next weekend. Otherwise I'm not sure what I'd have done (probably had to pay somebody to boil it).

Wisconsin got decimated about 7-8 years ago, Iowa as well. We do not want to even come close to what happened in those states.

So they have no deer population now?

Uhhhhh

I did not receive nor heard of a notice to express opinions regarding CWD and deer importing from the FWC and I receive their emails on other issues, they slipped this one right by us. I could see the new rule being needed if CWD was in Alabama or Georgia but give us a break every year its more rules and regs. So If I do not comply Im the bad guy now. The point about Taxidermist is right on also, you think they were advised and given an opportunity to comment? This is nothing but some pencil neck state employees justifying their jobs.

Considering the only populations that’s been decimated involving CWD was done by humans, it’s really not something that bothers me

Sorry but I’ve talked to DNR employees in hot zones of other states that’s had it for 20+ years and they basically chuckled at the response and plans of Alabama and Tennessee . That’s the two states I mentioned.

As one guy told me, reality isn’t following our models and the sky isn’t falling. Business as usual.

I'm just curious AlabamaSwamper.... i see your sn and that you live in Florence.... are you actually a member of the Swampers?

Are you about this rule or it it hearsay? The FWC hasn't hear about this rule change and they make the rules. Someone is just trying to start bad feelings.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/2c40f94

Read paragraph 2 parts A,B,and C. allows you to haul a carcass with a permit. hallb this order is from 2019 nothing has changed.

This is as stupid as the proposed turkey regs for next year.

You aren't reading it right, they're saying sorry, can no longer do the permit process. This is new, look at the dates and read it a little closer:

However, the rule amendments do not include the permit option allowed under FWC Executive Order 19-41 to import whole deer or high-risk parts from properties in Georgia or Alabama provided certain requirements are met.

Tough part for me is that there is not a processor or a taxidermist that I would use anywhere near my camp in Alabama nor on my way home. I debone all my meat anyway so that’s not an issue, but the taxidermy is.

Is it possible to get all brain matter out of a deer you want skull mounted to be in compliance in order to cross state lines?

Demisted beetles

depending on the size of your colony those beetles can clean a deer skull in about two weeks tops

hallb you were right i was wrong. I just called FWC and as of July 1 no deer can be brought into florida from alabama un less its is de boned.

They guy I use has beetles, but he is in FL. So I can’t bring one back from my place in AL to him

Stick a pressure washer inside brain cavity and blow it out. That's all you have to do.

I'm assuming you are meaning after it is boiled. Florida's new transport law is similar to what other states have and it is pretty restrictive:

boned-out meat or products thereof;
clean hides with no tissue or head attached;
antlers, antlers with a clean skull plate with no tissue attached or clean skulls with no tissue attached;
finished taxidermy products; and
clean teeth with no tissue attached.

No, I'm saying if you blow out the brain and brain stem you are good. On the skull portion.

Sounds like a business opportunity to me.

Try getting one home from Texas! Texas law states you can only process and transport your deer in quarters with the bone in while you are in Texas. Louisiana has the same laws as FL, as does MS, meaning no bones. How do you legally cross the LA state line with a deer you took in Texas unless you had a processor process it or the ranch you harvested it on has a cold storage facility with a cold storage log? Do you try to stand on the state line while you de-bone the deer?

That's why I don't hunt anymore. Too much bs.

I don’t think you can bring one back into AL from another state either. Not that I ever plan to...

I can appreciate Matt's response and it is a valid point and an effort to reduce the chances of the spreading of the disease. Hopefully it will give our deer herd more time until when or if they can better understand the disease and figure out a better method to stop it, but basically the restrictions is all they have right now to help control it. So, don't throw any old meat frozen out from other states out back for other animals to eat. Now animals that migrate could spread the disease too. Predators and vultures may be able to feast on carcasses and spread it. I have read all the potential sources of bacteria and viruses that animals like alligators and buzzards carry, so, according to my understanding this mandate only may help to prevent the spread of the disease. Possibly, help more than the wearing of a mask for Covid. The deboning process does not seem to be that complicated if you just debone the front and hind quarters and the back loin. There was a great video online with an experienced guy deboning one in a matter of minutes. If you read about the devastation this disease inflicted on the herds in Iowa and other states you should take upon yourself to help enforce the rule. I have never read or heard about a disease wiping out deer in the U.S. like this one until now!

Like auburn17 I will have to find a new taxidermist which I would rather not. I can debone but I do not know of a taxidermist close to my lease in escambia county, anyone know of one in that area?

Amen Brother

Keith at DG&K does a FINE skull mount. I only use chad cooper for my deer mounts so not sure how I'll make that work?

Pm sent

I think chad's taxidermy skills have gone down hill. I took a fox to him and it took like 3 years and he screwed up the ears. I wouldn't take anything back to him

We live in Florida but own property above Andalusia. We have been following this new law all season but it makes it tough when you kill one at dark and have to completely clean him up there before you head home. It used to be nice when we could toss the deer in the back of the truck and clean him the next morning at home.

All you have to do is call Chad if you kill one in Alabama. He has a set up where he will meet you near the Alabama line and process the deer there before he transports it to his shop.

Pretty sure the Iowa issue 7-8 years ago was a ridiculously bad EHD outbreak, not CWD.

Why not just have it processed in AL?

I see a new shirt!

This is one of the benefits of driving your wife's car to the camp.

Deer don't get seen in the trunk.

Processing isn’t the issue for me, I de-bone everything anyway so I’m legal to cross state line with the meat. My concern is the taxidermy side of it, specifically skull mount.

With that being said there is not a processor between my camp and my house. I would have to drive 30 miles out of the way to get to a processor.

We had to find a taxidermist in KY for Euros. I don’t like shoulder mounts. My son killed a buck one trip, and the local taxidermist was not home and wouldn’t answer his phone. Delayed us coming home 8-10 hours after scrambling for options.

Deal with hunting in Indiana it ain't that big of deal really we generally use a processor up there and pick it up when we go back or we got a buddy up that will let us use his skinning pole to skin debone and cape

That’s what I do. I have 2 deer done immediately to take back home and have others done later to save freezer space and get my processor to ship it to me. Works great plus I got sick of my old FL processor’s stupid rules and constant whining on Facebook about lack of supplies and making an appointment. Idiot.

So how long does it take to determine results if one is tested?

I’ve killed a few bull elk from a hot zone in Colorado over 20 years ago and was required to take in for testing. Best I recall the results were immediate and we were released with the entire head/scull in tact to bring home. Thousands upon thousands of elk and deer have been brought into this area in this manner from CWD hot zones.
I don’t know how they would have handled with a positive test.

Correct, bad EHD outbreak in 2012, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. We had a bad drought that year.

Smile. The next step is to require you to do ALL this in the field, and leave all skin, skull, bones placed neatly in the spot where it fell.
Can't take anything to your truck or home except meat and horn. Try that one sometime.