Hunters Reminded of South Texas Fever Tick Quarantines

Austin, TX –(Press RelaseTAHC & USDA-VS)-  Texas Animal Health Commission
(TAHC) and United States Department of
Agriculture Veterinary Services (USDA-VS)
officials are reminding hunters in South Texas that
additional precautions are required when handling
white-tailed deer, nilgai antelope, black buck, axis
deer, and other exotics located on fever tick
quarantined premises.

Portions of Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kinney,
Kleberg, Live Oak, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy
and Zapata counties have established fever tick
quarantine areas and 37 additional Texas counties
have individual premises quarantined.

“Hunters play a critical roll in protecting the state
from fever tick expansion,” said Dr. Andy
Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director, “and we are
asking for their help this hunting season to ensure
this tick is not inadvertently transported to
unaffected areas of the state when harvested deer or exotics are moved from quarantined
premises.”

Landowners, lessees, or other individuals who plan to harvest, move or capture white-tailed
deer, nilgai antelope, or other exotic animals located on an infested, exposed, adjacent, or
check quarantined premises must have the animals inspected and treated by a TAHC or
USDA-VS representative before moving off the premises.

“The inspection and treatment process is fairly quick and simple,” said Dr. TR Lansford,
TAHC Assistant Executive Director for Animal Health Programs. “Hunters must notify their
TAHC region office or a USDA-VS representative after harvesting an animal and before
movement, so the hides can be inspected and treated.”

All inspected hides, capes, and animals will be issued a movement permit after treatment and
the movement permit must accompany the animal or animal parts at all times.
Texas Fever Tick Quarantine Areas

To learn more about the TAHC and USDA-VS wildlife inspection requirements, visit
http://www.tahc.texas.gov/animal_he…
df.

If hunting in Cameron, Hidalgo, Kinney, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy or Zapata counties,
and unsure of the premises quarantine status, contact the TAHC Region 8 office at 956-568-
5741 or the premises USDA CFTEP county office at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_h….
If hunting in Live Oak, Jim Wells or Kleberg counties, contact the TAHC Region 5 office at
361-358-3234.

To learn more about fever ticks, visit http://www.tahc.texas.gov/animal_he…
or view the documents below:
• TAHC Cattle Fever Tick Brochure
http://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/broc…
• TAHC Cattle Fever Tick Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/broc…
• USDA Pest Alert
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_he…
.pdf