In an effort to halt the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) through unnaturally congregating deer, elk and moose, Washington has approved a statewide ban on feeding – and baiting – the ungulates as of March 24, 2025. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind approved the proposed rule, which will be permanent 31 days after filing, according to a news release.

Scents made from urine or other glandular fluids will also be prohibited.

CWD was first detected in Washington State last July. A deer tested positive in the Fairwood area followed by four others, including one in Pend Oreille County, according to The Spokesman-Review. 

Washington’s move to establish new rules concerning CWD mirrors many other states where the fatal disease is prevalent. 

While the current ban exempts WDFW’s feeding operations, the agency is “evaluating its own wildlife feeding practices in areas where elk are fed to reduce human-wildlife conflict in agricultural areas.”

Along with the baiting and feeding ban, hunters will be required to submit samples for all harvested or salvaged deer, elk and moose in WDFW’s 10-county eastern region for CWD testing. The transport of any parts other than deboned meat and finished taxidermy will be prohibited from this region.

Stay tuned to GOHUNT for further updates.