CWD sampling information

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CWD sampling information
DNR is actively seeking landowner cooperation in its effort to sample 900 deer within roughly 10 miles of where a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) positive wild deer was found to assist with the agency's disease sampling efforts.

The area stretches from Wanamingo, Zumbrota and Zumbro Falls southward to Kasson, Byron and Rochester. DNR, working with landowners, will harvest 900 deer within the survelliance area, 500 of which will be taken within a roughly five-mile radius of the confirmed CWD-positive deer. Each will be tested for CWD.

To date, 300 landowner shooting permits have been issued. As of February 17, 240 deer – 180 of them adults that count toward the desired sampling goal of 900 – have been tested for CWD. All test results have been negative.

Landowners who accept shooting permits will be allowed to take deer themselves or authorize additional shooters to take deer. There will be no traditional special hunt because all the land in the surveillance area is private land that cannot be hunted without permission.

Since CWD can spread through portions of carcasses, particularly brain and spinal column tissues, all deer must be kept on the property where they were harvested, temporarily released to the DNR for safe holding until test results are received or permanently released to the DNR.

All deer taken must be retained by the landowner, designated shooters or surrendered to DNR. Test results will come back within three business days, allowing people holding carcasses to make processing and consumption decisions.

Deer that test negative can be processed for consumption or surrendered to DNR for donation to individuals. If any CWD positive deer are identified, they will be taken to the University of Minnesota's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for disposal.

Deer feeding ban in southeastern Minnesota
A deer feeding ban covering Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted and Wabasha counties became effective Monday, Feb. 14.

The ban will reduce the potential for the disease to spread from deer-to-deer by reducing the number of deer concentration sites. The disease can spread from one deer to another following nose-to-nose contact, contact with saliva or other body fluids. By eliminating deer feeding sites we are reducing the potential for the disease to spread.

The aerial survey of the core area showed 39 areas where people were feeding deer. As of February 17, 25 of those 39 feeding areas had been cleaned up, with the remainder expected to follow.

Information for people interested in obtaining a deer
Deer that are taken during the winter surveillance effort will donated to the public at no cost. While the number of deer is unknown at this time, individuals can put their name on a list if they are interested in obtaining a deer, should they become available. As of February 17, 200 people have signed up to receive a deer.

If you are interested in getting on that list, send an email to the DNR with the following information:

Name
Contact phone number
Email address
The email address is set up solely to compile names for deer donations. It will not be monitored for comments nor will questions be answered.

If called, individuals will need to come to Rochester to pick up the deer.

Donated deer will be eviscerated with hide on. It is up to the individual who receives the deer to process it. DNR will not donate processed meat or pay for processing.

Please do not call the DNR information center or a DNR office asking if deer are being donated. People will be notified individually if and when deer become available.

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association compiling hunter names
Although no late season hunt is planned, there may be limited opportunities for hunters to assist with winter deer surveillance. The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) is currently compiling a list of individuals who would be interested in possibly participating with a landowner shooting permit.

While most landowners currently have hunters who have permission on their land, there may be very limited opportunities for some individuals. Learn more about these limited opportunities at the top of the Hunter Help page.

Sharpshooting plans
DNR has contracted with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for sharpshooters, who are expected to start taking deer February 22. Sharpshooting will begin on private land where owners have decided to allow sharpshooting rather than taking deer themselves.

DNR's hope is that it can get the majority of the needed sample with landowner shooting. But there may be cases where a landowner prefers sharpshooters or we need to increase sample size in certain areas beyond what we can get through permits.



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