The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is conducting CWD sampling on deer one year of age or older harvested in the CWD management zone (deer permit area 661) where sampling is mandatory the opening weekend of firearms season A, Nov. 5-6, and in DPAs in the CWD surveillance zone (DPAs 256, 257, 262 and 265) where sampling is voluntary.
CWD sampling is occurring in eight distinct areas throughout the state where CWD has been found in captive or wild deer in Minnesota or an adjacent state.
Hunters should check the DNR website for the regulations specific to their DPA and the most current list of sampling locations.
Hunters are strongly encouraged to have their harvested deer tested using one of the hunter self-service sampling stations or visit one of the local partnering taxidermists or meat processors. Early detection is key to preventing further spread of this disease.
If local self-service sampling stations are unavailable, hunters can make an appointment to have their deer tested by calling the Thief River Falls area wildlife office (218-219-8587).
A limited number of free, mail-in kits are available for hunters to collect and mail in a lymph node sample on their own. Learn more on the DNR website.
Feeding and attractant ban restrictions
Deer feeding and attractant bans are in place for Clearwater, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk and Red Lake counties. Deer feeding is prohibited in Beltrami, Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties. For a full list of counties affected, visit the DNR website.
Carcass movement restrictions apply in DPA 661
In areas where CWD has been detected in wild deer, regulations require whole carcasses of deer, including fawns, to stay within specified zones until they receive a “not detected” CWD test result. However, quartered deer containing the main leg bone or de-boned meat can leave the zone immediately.
Dumpsters and/or tripods will be available at sampling sites in Climax, Crookston and Oslo (Sept. 17-Jan. 6), and at Cabela’s in East Grand Forks (Oct. 20-Jan. 6) for hunters who need to quarter their deer to comply with the carcass movement restriction. For more on carcass movement restrictions, visit the DNR’s deer import and movement page.
High-risk carcass parts cannot be transported into North Dakota from outside the state. More information is available on the North Dakota Game and Fish website.
More information
More information on CWD, sampling sites, other opportunities for CWD testing and interactive DPA maps is available at chronic wasting disease page. Hunters should also refer to the 2022 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations, available at the DNR hunting page and wherever licenses are sold.