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CWD rules in Florida

Florida restricts which deer and elk carcass parts you can bring in from out of state. You may generally import only lower-risk parts; high-risk parts are prohibited.

CWD zone status

CWD confirmed

Agency

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Last verified

June 16, 2026

CWDCrossing provides informational summaries of state CWD carcass-transport regulations. Rules change annually pre-hunting-season; verify with both the origin and destination state wildlife agencies before transport. Failure to comply may result in citations. Not affiliated with the CWD Alliance, the National Deer Association, or any state agency.

Bringing a carcass into Florida

Florida is the regulating authority for what you can bring in. Statewide ban on importing whole carcasses and high-risk parts from ALL out-of-state sources (not just CWD-positive states). Exception: deer harvested on a property bisected by the FL state line with Georgia or Alabama under the same ownership may be imported. CWD confirmed in Florida (Holmes County) in 2023.

Allowed for import

  • de-boned/boned-out meat
  • finished taxidermy mounts
  • antlers
  • clean hides/capes
  • skulls with all soft tissue removed
  • skull caps with all soft tissue removed
  • teeth with all soft tissue removed

Restricted from import

  • whole carcasses
  • brain
  • spinal cord/column
  • eyes
  • spleen
  • tonsils
  • lymph nodes
  • any high-risk parts with soft tissue attached

Handling + processing

Applies to all cervids (deer, elk, moose, caribou, and all other members of the deer family) originating outside Florida; rule in effect since July 2021.

Taking a carcass out of Florida

When you hunt in Florida and bring the carcass to another state, that destination state sets the rule. Because Florida has confirmed CWD detections, several destination states apply their stricter "from a CWD-affected state" rule to carcasses originating here — plan to bring back lower-risk parts only.

Florida on the CWD map

  • CWD confirmed in state
  • Under heightened surveillance
  • No known CWD detections

Zone status is informational, not a hazard rating. Detections expand over time — confirm current status with each state's wildlife agency.

Verified against the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on June 16, 2026Expert review in progress(state-DNR contact / wildlife biologist / hunting-org compliance officer)

CWDCrossing provides informational summaries of state CWD carcass-transport regulations. Rules change annually pre-hunting-season; verify with both the origin and destination state wildlife agencies before transport. Failure to comply may result in citations. Not affiliated with the CWD Alliance, the National Deer Association, or any state agency.