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 2021 hunting season
CWD testing is mandatory in all disease zones the opening weekends of firearms A and B seasons. (Outside of opening weekends, voluntary sampling options are available for deer harvested in these zones.)
Several deer permit areas (184, 110, 197, a portion of deer permit area 169, 233 and 342) have been added to the surveillance zone.
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Get test results
Visit the CWD test result page to find your results.
View updates
2021 season regulations available
Read about new changes for the deer hunting season, and download the regulations book and the fold-out 2021 Deer Season Area Map.
Expanded feeding bans
Learn more about current deer feeding and attractant bans.
What hunters need to know
- Test results
- Hunting in the management zone
- Hunting in the control zone
- Hunting in the surveillance zone
- Late CWD hunts
What we're doing
What you can do
Learn more
