Mandatory sampling will occur during fall 2018
CWD sample submission is mandatory during the first two days of the Statewide (A) and Late Southeast (3B) seasons in select deer permit areas. Click on the map at right to view a larger version.
Testing areas details
- CWD management zone – DPA 603
- Bluffland Whitetails quartering station now open
- Voluntary testing available in DPA 346
Test results
- Is your test in? Type in your DNR number and check for results.
- During current and upcoming 2018 deer seasons, animals that test positive for CWD will be reported on the results page. DNR will directly notify any hunter who harvests a deer that tests positive.
Videos to help hunters
View our how-to videos for instructions on how to quarter a deer, how to cape a trophy deer and how to remove lymph nodes for your own CWD test.
Voluntary testing available in area 346
Due to the increased risk in this area from a nearby CWD-positive deer farm, DNR will be conducting voluntary testing in Deer Permit Area 346 during the firearms season after mandatory sampling occurs on 3A and 3B opening weekends.
Voluntary head boxes will be located at:
- Houston, BP Gas Station, 801 MN-16, Houston
- Rushford, Pam’s Corner, 107 MN-16, Rushford
- Winona, Mills Fleet Farm, 920 E Highway 61, Winona
- Witoka Tavern, 27999 County Road 9, Winona
Samples will be collected daily and results will be available online using your DNR number.
All deer taken from DPA 603 must be kept and tested within DPA 603. Do not bring DPA 603 deer to these head boxes.
Deer taken from DPAs 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, and 349 are all permitted to be dropped off for testing at these locations. You will need to complete a datasheet to identify your deer head. All supplies will be provided at each location.
- Current deer feeding and attractants bans
The deer feeding and attractants ban has expanded and now includes Wabasha County. For definitions of feed, attractants and where the bans are currently in place, visit the feeding and attractant bans page for more information.
- 2017 sampling results
Fall 2017 mandatory CWD surveillance
Surveillance area Total samples collected Positive North-central 7,945 0 Central 2,623 0 Southeast
(excluding DPA 603)1,341 0 CWD Management Zone (DPA 603) surveillance
Surveillance effort Total samples collected Positive Fall Hunting Seasons (Sept. 16- Dec. 31, 2017) 1,185 6 Late Hunt (Jan. 6-14, 2018) 275 0 Landowner Shooting Permits (Feb. 10 - Mar. 10, 2018) 19 0 For more information about CWD in Minnesota, including a map of known positives, please visit the About page.
- Southeast deer movement study
During March 2018, DNR used a helicopter company to live-capture deer in southeast Minnesota. These deer were equipped with GPS collars to track movements, particularly those of juvenile deer leaving their natal home ranges. This information will help us understand movements and potential spread of CWD in this area.
Collared and ear-tagged deer are not protected and any hunter may harvest them during a hunting season. If you do harvest a collared or ear-tagged deer, please notify DNR by calling 507-380-1858. If you capture any pictures of a collared deer and are willing to share, please email them to [email protected].
For more information about this project, please visit the southeast deer movement study page.