HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Maryland’s firearm deer season is opening amid expanded efforts by state regulators to curb the spread of chronic wasting disease, a neurological condition fatal to deer, elk and moose.
Humans are not susceptible to the disease, which was been found in 11 deer in Maryland since 2010.
The firearm season opens Saturday.
The Department of Natural Resources has tripled the size of its disease management area to include all of Allegany County and part of Washington County. It previously covered only eastern Allegany.
Hunters cannot legally transport whole deer carcasses outside of the management area except to bring them to approved meat processors, taxidermists or lined landfills in Allegany or Washington counties.
The disease was first identified in Colorado in 1967. It’s now in at least 23 states.
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