State Expands Restrictions As Deer Disease Spreads In PA

PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently announced the expansion of several disease management areas after new cases of chronic wasting disease were found in deer across the state.

In a statement on its website, Game Commission officials said they expanded three Chronic Wasting Disease Management Areas — or DMAs. In the areas, it is illegal to remove or export any deer or elk high-risk parts or deposit those parts away from the harvest location of the animal. High-risk parts include the head, spinal column and spleen.

Officials said it is also illegal to use or possess deer or elk urine-based attractants and directly or indirectly feed wild deer.

The expansion is due to officials detecting new cases of chronic wasting disease in road-killed deer in areas including Armstrong and Dauphin counties.

According to officials, DMA 2 will expand east to state Route 94, east along U.S. Route 30 and north along the west shore of the Susquehanna River to meet the current boundary.

DMA 2 is located in southcentral Pennsylvania and includes all or portions of Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Somerset, Union, Westmoreland and York counties. The new boundary can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.

DMA 3 will expand south along state Route 286 near Saltsburg, north along the east shore of the Kiskiminetas River, north along the east shore of the Allegheny River, north along U.S. Route 422, and east along state Route 85 to meet the current boundary.

DMA 3 is located in western Pennsylvania and includes portions of Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Indiana, and Jefferson counties. The new boundary can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.

DMA 8 will expand south to Interstate 81, south along Mountain Road, west along U.S. Route 22, south along Interstate 83 to Interstate 283 and Interstate 76, and west to the west shore of the Susquehanna River to meet the current boundary.

DMA 8 includes portions of Dauphin, Lebanon, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties. The new boundary can be found at www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.

To see a map of all affected areas, visit this Pennsylvania Game Commission website.