Chronic wasting disease, or CWD, is a fatal neurological disease that affects cervids, including white-tailed deer. It is found globally and in about half of the states in the U.S. CWD remains relatively rare in Minnesota at this time, but is a concern as there is currently no known cure. The DNR is working to limit its spread. Learn more about the disease.
Changes for 2020 hunting season
As part of the DNR's COVID-19 response, CWD testing will be voluntary for all disease zones and surveillance areas. Sampling is strongly encouraged as it is critical to helping monitor the disease. Carcass movement restrictions are still in place. View area-specific hunting information below.
Get test results
Visit the CWD test result page to find your results.
View updates
How to submit voluntary samples
Learn how you can submit a sample in a CWD surveillance area or zone.
Public meeting recording available
The south metro public meeting from Sept. 15 can be viewed here.
Testing outside of sampling areas
Hunters outside of testing areas can test their deer for CWD for a fee.
Other items
What hunters need to know
- Test results
- East-central surveillance area
- North-central management zone
- Southeast zones
- South metro area
- West-central surveillance area
What we're doing
What you can do
Learn more
