Delaware Hunters Criticize Vague CWD Rules After Third Positive Deer Test

Key points

• A third CWD-positive white-tailed deer was identified in central Sussex County, specifically in the area west of Millsboro designated as Zone No. 14 on the DNREC map.
• New restrictions prohibit leaving food out to attract or bait deer in Zone No. 14 and the areas directly north and south of it.
• Hunters who kill deer in the three affected areas are required to leave the heads in designated freezers so DNREC can test them for CWD.
• Sam Millman, head of DNREC’s deer program, stated that these preventive measures are intended to stop the spread of the disease before it becomes widespread.
• Andrew Adams, a hunter from Sussex County, criticized the meeting, stating that the rules felt vague and that he left with more questions than answers regarding specific definitions.

Background

This development follows the August 2026 implementation of emergency deer-hunting rules in Delaware, which established a CWD Management Zone covering Wildlife Management Zones 14 and 16. Those initial emergency measures included bans on bait and urine-based lures, mandatory checks at designated stations, and restrictions on moving harvested deer out of the zone. The current meeting addresses the expansion of these controls following the third confirmed case.

Why it matters

The spread of CWD threatens the local deer population and could lead to stricter long-term hunting regulations. The tension between regulatory prevention and hunter clarity highlights the challenges in managing wildlife diseases while maintaining public trust and compliance.

What to watch

DNREC indicated that more specific details regarding the new rules will be released over time. Hunters are expected to continue monitoring for further updates as the agency refines its CWD management strategy.