The Gazebo Gazette

HARRISON COUNTY (GG) — The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) wants to inform the Harrison & Hancock County public of the 2024 Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zones.  This zone was created following the detection of the first CWD-positive deer in Harrison County.

The buck was initially classified as “suspect positive” and later confirmed as CWD-positive by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories on November 29, 2023. The Harrison CWD Management Zone became effective February 16, 2024 and remains in effect. The zone includes all portions of Hancock County east of Nicholson Avenue, all portions of Harrison County west of Hwy 49, and all portions of Hancock County east of Highway 53, 603, and 43. Supplemental feeding is banned, and deer carcass transportation rules apply inside the CWD Management Zone.
Below is the list of CWD Management Zone:
  • Harrison County Management Zone: Includes all portions of Harrison County west of Hwy 49, all portions of Hancock County east of Highways 53, 603, and 43; and all portions of Hancock County east of Nicholson Avenue.
Please see CWD Management Zones and the Hunting Season CWD Guide for zone maps and specific regulations.
In CWD Management Zones there are two regulations:
  1. Carcasses may not be transported outside of any CWD Management Zone.
  2.  Supplemental feeding is banned in all CWD Management Zones (salt licks, mineral licks, and feeders).
Since February 2018, 317 CWD-positive white-tailed deer have been detected across sixteen (16) counties. MDWFP encourages all hunters to submit deer for testing this season. Submissions can be done at established freezer locations or participating taxidermists.
For more information about Chronic Wasting Disease visit www.mdwfp.com/cwd. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.
Front Photo: A young deer trots near East Pass Christian Harbor Wednesday afternoon, after frantically going in the water.  Shortly after the picture, the animal ran swiftly back across Highway 90 and ran back towards the woods across Fleitas Avenue in Pass Christian.  Photo by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via AP.