Deer meat from animals with chronic wasting disease (CWD) is generally considered not safe to eat. Health authorities emphasize caution and recommend testing harvested animals in areas where CWD is known, and avoiding consumption of meat from animals that test positive or appear sick. Key takeaways

• Testing: In regions where CWD is present, hunters are advised to have their harvested deer or elk tested before consuming the meat, and to avoid meat from animals that test positive or look ill.

• Precautionary use: CWD is a prion disease affecting cervids; while there is no confirmed human transmission, public health agencies consider the risk to be extremely small or theoretical, and they advocate caution rather than outright ban in all cases.

• Parts to avoid: If an animal tests positive or shows signs of illness, avoid consuming high-risk tissues (such as brain and spinal cord) and follow local guidelines for processing.

• Education and guidance: National and local wildlife agencies provide region-specific instructions on testing, field dressing, and processing to minimize potential risk.

If you’d like, I can pull up the most current guidance for your specific region (state or province) and summarize the official testing steps and safety recommendations.