State
CWD rules in Ohio
CWD zone status
Agency
Ohio Division of Wildlife
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 Ohio
Ohio is the regulating authority for what you can bring in. The high-risk-parts import ban applies to all states regardless of CWD status. CWD was first detected in Ohio in 2020.
Allowed for import
- Meat cut and completely wrapped with no spinal column or head attached
- Quarters or portions of boned-out meat with no spinal column or head attached
- Cleaned hides, antlers, and finished taxidermy mounts
Restricted from import
- Carcasses and high-risk parts of CWD-susceptible species
- Head (brain, tonsils, eyes, lymph nodes)
- Spinal column / spinal cord
- Spleen
Handling + processing
Bone out meat before returning to Ohio. High-risk parts may pass through only if not unloaded. A carcass or high-risk parts may be delivered to a certified processor or taxidermist within 24 hours of entering the state.
Taking a carcass out of Ohio
When you hunt in Ohio and bring the carcass to another state, that destination state sets the rule. Because Ohio 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.
Ohio 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.
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.