Wisconsin DNR Reminds Hunters to Test Their Deer for CWD
Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 -- 9:10 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -With deer hunting season upon us, state natural resources officials are encouraging hunters who harvest deer in counties affected by Chronic Wasting Disease to have the animal tested for CWD, and only consume venison from deer that test negative for the disorder.CWD is a fatal disease that affects the nervous system of deer, elk moose, and caribou. An abnormal protein called a prion causes the disease, which is not destroyed by cooking temperatures. The Department of Natural Resources says recent CWD positive cases in the Chippewa Valley area have spurred the need for increased sampling from deer harvested in Buffalo, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin and Trempealeau counties. The DNR has been testing samples from hunter-harvested deer to monitor the disease in the wild deer herd since it was first detected in 2002.
The testing methods conducted on the samples provide results about whether CWD was detected or not detected at the time of sampling. To find a location nearby to submit samples free of charge, visit the Find CWD Sampling, Registration and Deer Disposal Sites page of the DNR website. Test results are usually available from the DNR within two weeks.
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