MDWFP Reminds Public of CWD Management Zone in Harrison and Hancock Counties

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) reminds the public about the newly established Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone in Hancock and Harrison counties. This zone was created following the detection of the first CWD-positive deer in Harrison County.

The buck was initially classified as “suspect positive” and later confirmed as CWD-positive by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories on November 29, 2023. The Harrison CWD Management Zone became effective February 16, 2024 and remains in effect. The zone includes all portions of Hancock County east of Nicholson Avenue, all portions of Harrison County west of Hwy 49, and all portions of Hancock County east of Highway 53, 603, and 43. Supplemental feeding is banned, and deer carcass transportation rules apply inside the CWD Management Zone. 

Since February 2018, 317 CWD-positive white-tailed deer have been detected across sixteen (16) counties. MDWFP thanks all hunters that have submitted deer during the 2023–24 hunting season.   Hunters can submit deer for testing at established freezer locations and participating taxidermists.