Chronic wasting disease · 2026-27
Texas CWD Rules and Testing
No CWD zones and no mandatory check stations this season. What still applies everywhere: the carcass disposal rule for deer, and testing of certain exotic species. 14 voluntary stations take samples.
Photo: FieldsportsChannel.tv (CC BY 2.0)
CWD status for 2026-27
TPWD offers only voluntary CWD check stations. The Outdoor Annual 2026-27 lists no CWD containment or surveillance zones; the TPW Commission (Jan. 2025 item) adopted removal of CWD Containment and Surveillance Zones and mandatory hunter check stations, and TAHC repealed its zones effective Sept. 16, 2025.
One loose end: the Culberson County page still carries an older line saying mandatory check station rules apply for deer. TPWD's statewide CWD page and the Outdoor Annual list voluntary testing only, and the county line looks like stale text from the old zones.
Sources: TPWD CWD rules; TPW Commission, Jan. 2025; Texas Register, Sept. 12, 2025, verified October 11, 2026.
Carcass disposal, statewide
This rule applies in all 254 counties to white-tailed and mule deer, and to CWD-susceptible species brought in from outside Texas.
Where carcass parts can go
Carcass parts of white-tailed and mule deer (and CWD-susceptible species from outside Texas) moved off the property of harvest must go to commercial trash, be returned to the property of harvest, or be buried 3 ft deep and covered with 3 ft of soil.
Deboning
Deboning anywhere allowed if meat is whole muscle, separate bags per deer, and tags/proof of sex stay with meat.
Processors and taxidermists
Processors/taxidermists dispose of parts.
Sources: statewide carcass disposal, verified October 11, 2026.
Voluntary check stations and sampling
14 stations or areas are listed. Bring the head with two or three vertebrae attached.
- Coleman County
- George West
- Gillespie County
- Hamilton County
- Hondo
- Hunt County
- Kimble County (Segovia, South Llano River SP)
- Lytle
- Panhandle (by appointment)
- Rocksprings
- Sutton County
- Trans-Pecos (Van Horn, Hueco Mountains by appointment)
- Val Verde
- Washington County
- Free.
- Results about two weeks.
- Head with 2-3 vertebrae, bagged and cool not frozen. Drop boxes generally Oct. 3, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027.
Sources: TPWD CWD page; Hondo station, verified October 11, 2026.
Exotics, imports and keeping the paperwork with the meat
Exotic CWD-susceptible species
Elk, red deer, sika, moose and reindeer: TAHC requires landowners to test adult mortalities incl. hunter-harvested until three valid results per calendar year.
Deer brought in from other states
Wildlife taken elsewhere must be accompanied by the other jurisdiction's license/tag; CWD-susceptible species from outside Texas follow carcass disposal rules.
Proof of sex and tags
Deer and pronghorn must keep proof of sex (head/antlers, udder or vulva and tail, or MLDP tag/CWD receipt/drawn hunt tag) until final destination and quartered. Turkey: leg with spur or beard patch until final processing. Pheasant: leg with spur or plumage.
CWD questions from Texas deer hunters
Does Texas have CWD zones this season?
No. The 2026-27 Outdoor Annual lists no containment or surveillance zones, after the TPW Commission removed them and TAHC repealed its zones effective Sept. 16, 2025.
Is CWD testing mandatory for Texas deer?
Not statewide. TPWD runs voluntary check stations only. Exotic elk, red deer, sika, moose and reindeer are the exception: landowners must test adult mortalities until three valid results per calendar year.
What do I bring to a voluntary station?
The head with two or three vertebrae, bagged and kept cool but not frozen. Testing is free and results take about two weeks.
When are the drop boxes open?
Generally Oct. 3, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027.
Can I take a deer carcass home from the lease?
Yes, but parts moved off the property of harvest must end up in commercial trash, back on that property, or buried 3 feet deep under 3 feet of soil.
Can I bone out a deer in the field?
Yes, anywhere, as long as the meat is whole muscle, each deer goes in its own bag and the tags and proof of sex stay with the meat.
Why does the Culberson County page mention a mandatory check station?
It is an older line still on that county page. Statewide TPWD sources list voluntary testing only.
Last word on the rules
Seasons, fees and programs here are for the 2026-27 license year, which runs Sept. 1, 2026 to Aug. 31, 2027.
Other photos on this page: LFLamb (CC BY-SA 2.0); Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 4.0); Life Lenses (CC BY-SA 2.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public domain).