MS SB2428

White-tailed deer harvested within any enclosure must be tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD) by annual submission of viable samples or alternative testing methods

Removes the previous requirement of submitting samples from at least one deer per 200 acres of fenced land, allowing more flexibility in testing approaches

Enclosure owners must also submit viable samples from any deer that dies inside an enclosure from non-hunting causes, with these samples counting toward required totals

If CWD is detected within an enclosure, surrounding properties within a 5-mile radius cannot be declared a CWD Management Zone until the disease is positively detected on those adjoining properties

Violations carry fines of $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent violation, effective July 1, 2026