General information
The DNR conducted surveillance around a CWD-positive captive cervid facility near Merrifield starting in the 2017 hunting season. In February 2019, the DNR confirmed chronic wasting disease in a wild deer found in Crow Wing County less than 0.5 miles from the infected captive facility. Based on this discovery, the DNR designated a new CWD management zone, deer permit area 604, in north central Minnesota for the 2019 hunting season.
Minnesota’s CWD management zones are created when CWD is detected in wild deer. Regulations used in these zones (including increasing hunting opportunities with liberalized bag limits) reduce the risk of the disease spreading and help remove positive deer from the landscape.
2020 hunting information
CWD sampling and testing
As part of the DNR’s COVID-19 response, CWD sampling is voluntary for all deer harvested in this CWD management zone. CWD sampling stations are available during all seasons (archery, firearms and muzzleloader).
- The DNR highly encourages hunters to help by providing the head of any harvested adult deer (1 year or older) at a self-service sampling station during all hunting seasons.
- Due to uncertainty of COVID-19, station locations could change in each area. Visit this page to see current sampling station locations.
- You will need to provide the township, range and section of your harvest location. Maps are provided at each station, but hunters are encouraged to have this information for their location of harvest prior to arriving.
The time it takes to receive CWD test results will vary depending on the number of samples collected. Process your deer as you normally would. Keep processed deer separate and identifiable until test results are received.
Test results for all deer that are sampled will be available online at mndnr.gov/cwdcheck.
What can I harvest?
- Either sex with a regular license.
- Hunters may harvest only one buck per hunter per year.
- Hunters may harvest an unlimited number of antlerless deer by purchasing an unlimited number of disease management permits for $2.50 to take antlerless deer. These permits may be used instead of bonus permits to take antlerless deer in this area.
- Cross-tagging for antlered bucks is allowed in these zones.
- Hunters may use either a Statewide (A) or a Late Southeast (B) license during any firearms season.
Is this area affected by carcass movement restrictions?
Yes. Deer carcass movement restrictions apply during all seasons for all deer, including fawns.
2020 sampling locations for archery, muzzleloader and firearms
Sampling stations in the north central CWD management zone (604)
All locations have self-service sampling stations available 24/7, unless otherwise noted in the table. Look for an orange "CWD Sampling Station" sign and black barrel (examples: image 1; image 2).
| CITY | STATION LOCATION | STATION ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|
| Aitkin | Aitkin DNR Wildlife Office | 1200 Minnesota Ave. S. Aitkin, MN 56431 |
| Brainerd | Brainerd DNR Wildlife Office | 1601 Minnesota Drive Brainerd, MN 56401 |
| Crosby | Croft Mine Historical Park | 23150 Minnesota Highway 6, Crosby, MN 56441 (parking lot 250 yards east of address) |
| Emily | Emily Volunteer Fire Department | 20823 County Highway 1 Emily, MN 56447 |
| Nisswa | East Side Public Water Access for Gull Lake | 5056 Nashway Road Nisswa, MN 56468 |
| Pine River | Cass County Fairgrounds | 525 First Street North Pine River, MN 56474 |
What do I do with my carcass after sampling?
Deer carcasses must be disposed of properly to meet deer carcass movement restrictions.
To help hunters comply with these legal carcass movement restrictions, the DNR will set up dumpsters where hunters can dispose of carcasses (head and spinal column) after quartering or butchering so they can leave the CWD areas immediately.
Dumpsters for carcass disposal
The following shows current disposal locations. Locations may change. Please check regularly for up-to-date information.
| CITY | LOCATION | ADDRESS | DATES AVAILABLE | QUARTERING STATION ON-SITE? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin | DNR Office | 1200 Minnesota Ave. S. Aitkin, MN 56431 | 9/19/2020 - 1/1/2021 | Yes |
| Brainerd | DNR Office | 1601 Minnesota Drive | 9/19/2020 - 1/1/2021 | Yes |
| Emily | Emily Volunteer Fire Departmentt | 20823 County Highway 1 Emily, MN 56447 | 9/19/2020 - 1/1/2021 | Yes |
Not all CWD carcass disposal stations are fully equipped as shown.
Meat processor options
The following is a list of some meat processors in the area. Use at your own discretion and call for availability first.
| CITY | BUSINESS | ADDRESS | ZIP | PHONE NUMBER | PROCESS WHOLE CARCASSES/TRIM? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin | Dave's Wild Game | 27106 County Road 11 | 56431 | 218-821-8648 | Whole carcasses and trim |
| Aitkin | Double D's Custom Processing, LLC | 35878 442nd Place | 56431 | 218-928-8150 | Whole carcasses and trim |
| Baxter | Von Hanson Meats – Vernon Center | 15811 Audubon Way | 56425 | 218-822-2888 | Trim and quarters |
| Emily | Emily Meats/Jones Taxidermy | 39990 Highway 6 North | 56447 | 218-763-6328 | Whole carcasses and trim |
Taxidermist information for sampling trophy deer
If you want to have your trophy deer caped or mounted, the following taxidermists can collect the lymph node samples and deliver them to the DNR for voluntary testing. Taxidermists may charge a fee to cape out your deer prior to extracting the samples. Please contact them ahead of time to schedule an appointment or make sure they are available.
Using a taxidermist for sampling will result in a longer turnaround time for your CWD test results.
| CITY | BUSINESS | ADDRESS | ZIP | PHONE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitkin | Gregory Hills Taxidermy | 42340 352nd Lane | 56431 | 218-831-6381 |
| Brainerd | David Ringstrom Taxidermy | 20334 Lancelot Lane | 56401 | 218-829-5666 |
| Emily | Jones Taxidermy of Emily | 39990 State Highway 6 N. | 56447 | 218-763-6328 |
| Ironton | Anderson's Taxidermy | 18785 Tower Road | 56455 | 218-546-8186 |
| Merrifield | Rick Fisher Taxidermy | 27167 E. Bass Lake Road | 56465 | 218-765-3028 |