Bield:Hunt
CWD & EHD by county

West Virginia disease risk map.

CWD PositiveEHD: FrequentFirst CWD: 2005

West Virginia confirmed its first wild CWD detection in 2005 in Hampshire County in the eastern panhandle. WVDNR has implemented a CWD Containment Area with mandatory sampling. West Virginia has a frequent EHD outbreak history.

Verify with agency

Disease detections, management zones, and transport rules change. Cross-reference this page with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the USDA APHIS distribution map before relying on it for hunting decisions.

CWD detection timeline

From first publicly-reported detection to the most recent year on record. Verify current detection counts with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

20052010201520202025First detection 2005Most recent 2024

West Virginia county detections

6 counties with seeded CWD records. The agency may have additional positive counties — verify before each hunt.

Seeded detection counties
CountyFIPSFirst / RecentSourceQuality
Hampshire County540272005 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Hardy County540312009 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Morgan County540652010 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Mineral County540572014 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Berkeley County540032017 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify
Grant County540232018 / 2024Agency →Estimated — verify

Carcass transport rules

If hunting in a CWD-positive area, follow your state agency's carcass transport rules — most agencies prohibit moving whole carcasses with brain or spinal tissue across designated zone boundaries. Verify the current rules with your state wildlife agency before transporting any harvest.

CWD testing

Most state wildlife agencies offer free or low-cost CWD testing of harvested deer at check stations or sample-drop locations during season. Contact the state agency for current testing locations and turnaround times.

EHD activity in West Virginia

West Virginia has historically experienced frequent EHD activity. EHD is a viral disease transmitted by Culicoides midges and is not transmissible to humans — meat from EHD-affected deer is safe to consume per state agency guidance. Outbreak years correlate with hot, dry conditions; localized die-offs can reduce hunting opportunity for a season but do not persist year to year the way CWD does.

Hunter FAQ — West Virginia

Is it safe to eat deer harvested in West Virginia?
West Virginia has confirmed CWD. CDC and state wildlife agencies recommend NOT consuming meat from any deer that tests positive for CWD, and recommend testing harvested deer in CWD-positive areas before consumption. There is no documented case of CWD transmitting to humans, but the recommendation is precautionary. EHD is a separate concern — meat from deer that survived EHD or were harvested in an EHD year is safe; EHD does not affect humans.
Are there carcass transport restrictions in West Virginia?
If hunting in a CWD-positive area, follow your state agency's carcass transport rules — most agencies prohibit moving whole carcasses with brain or spinal tissue across designated zone boundaries. Verify the current rules with your state wildlife agency before transporting any harvest.
How do I get a deer tested for CWD in West Virginia?
Most state wildlife agencies offer free or low-cost CWD testing of harvested deer at check stations or sample-drop locations during season. Contact the state agency for current testing locations and turnaround times.
How often does West Virginia get hit by EHD?
West Virginia historically has frequent EHD activity. EHD outbreaks are weather-driven (hot, dry, midge-heavy late summers) and are not predictable year over year. Refer to your state agency's most recent annual report for current outbreak status.
Where does West Virginia's CWD/EHD data come from?
Disease status on this page is summarized from publicly-reported information from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the USDA APHIS CWD distribution map, and the National Deer Association EHD tracker. Bield does not generate disease records — we surface what state agencies report. Always verify directly with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources before making hunting decisions.
Primary sources

Disease information is summarized for hunter awareness only. Always cross-reference with the state agency for legal, regulatory, and current-detection data.

Track herd health on your land.

Statewide disease maps tell you what to expect in general. Bield: Hunt logs every sick or recovered deer you find on your specific property — and surfaces patterns across seasons that would otherwise live in your camera roll and your memory.