LDWF cites Jonesville man for bringing deer carcass with CWD into state

Published 9:08 am Wednesday, January 15, 2025

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JONESVILLE, La. – Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited a Jonesville man for allegedly violating chronic wasting disease (CWD) regulations on Jan. 9 in Catahoula Parish.

Agents cited Scotty Smart, 58, for two counts of illegally importing a cervid carcass into Louisiana.

Agents received information about two mule deer that were harvested in Colorado and brought back into Louisiana without following the CWD guidelines for importation.

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During the investigation, agents learned that Smart harvested the deer in late October 2024 in Colorado and then transported them back to Louisiana. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources tested the deer for CWD with one of them testing positive for CWD.

Agents made contact with Smart at his residence and found him in possession of two uncleaned skulls from the mule deer he harvested in Colorado. During questioning, Smart admitted to bringing the two uncleaned skulls and the meat from the two mule deer he harvested in Colorado back to Louisiana.

Agents seized and discarded the two mule deer skulls.

Louisiana implemented import regulations on deer taken out of state to reduce the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Regulations state that no one can import, transport or possess any cervid carcass or part of a cervid carcass originating outside of Louisiana except for meat that is cut and wrapped, meat that has been boned out, quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached, antlers, clean skull plates with antlers, cleaned skulls without the tissue attached, capes, tanned hides, finished taxidermy mounts and cleaned cervid teeth.

Illegal cervid carcass importation brings up to a $350 fine.

Agents participating in this case are Sgt. Raymond Davis and Corporal Jeremiah Fletcher.