CWD Found in Ouachita Parish: LDWF Declares State of Emergency

Chronic Wasting Disease, CWD, has been discovered in a wild deer in Ouachita Parish and the discovery is painting a whole new picture for deer hunters in Northwest Louisiana.

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Before we dive into the meat of the recent announcement from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, please remember, DON'T kill the messenger. I'm a deer hunter myself and I've got my own feelings about CWD and the possible bureaucratic implications often highlighted by Uncle Ted Nugent.

However, this notice from LDWF isn't asking our opinion. It emphasizes the legal ramifications associated with this first-ever discovery of CWD in Ouachita Parish.

In the notice, LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth has issued a Declaration of Emergency (DE) after the confirmation of a CWD detection of a hunter-harvested white-tailed deer just a couple of months ago, in January of 2026.

LDWF's notice goes on to explain that the new DE includes all of Ouachita Parish and portions of Lincoln, Jackson, Union, Morehouse, Caldwell and Richland parishes.

READ MORE: Is CWD A Real Threat?  The Debate Rages On

The existing CWD control area is being expanded to include these new areas. The adult doe, harvested in Deer Area 2, was voluntarily submitted for sampling and later confirmed CWD positive by an Iowa veterinary lab.

The DE restricts baiting and feeding within the CWD Control Area. The portions of the CWD Control Area referred to as the Enhanced Mitigation Zone and Buffer Zone include varying restrictions on bait.

While baiting and feeding will be prohibited within the Enhanced Mitigation Zone, baiting would be allowed within the CWD Buffer Zone through methods explained in the DE. While the DE is effective now, the implementation of the supplemental feeding and baiting prohibition will begin April 1. In addition, deer carcass transport rules are included that prohibit the export of certain deer parts.

LDWF has implemented its CWD Response Plan and will continue ongoing CWD surveillance efforts in the area. The DE is effective for 180 days, subject to ratification of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC).

There is no statewide feeding ban included in the DE.