Sampling of 1,300 deer shows no sign of CWD so far

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Sampling of 1,300 deer shows no sign of CWD so far
(Released November 16, 2011)

None of the 1,300 deer tested in and around the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management zone in southeastern Minnesota have shown signs of the disease, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Hunters have harvested 780 deer so far within the CWD management zone, which stretches from Wanamingo, Zumbrota and Zumbro Falls southward to Kasson, Byron and Rochester. Negative results have been returned for 638 deer.

In the areas adjacent to the CWD zone, 671 of 1,053 deer harvested during the now-concluded first season have tested negative.

Results on the remaining deer in both areas are pending.

“Collections are going well and hunters are very cooperative,” said Lou Cornicelli, DNR wildlife research manager. “We’ll continue working check stations in the CWD zone through Sunday, Nov. 27, when the season there ends.”

All hunters who harvest deer within the CWD management zone must register their deer in person at check stations located throughout the area. Registration is necessary so DNR can extract a lymph node tissue sample for CWD testing.

Hunters who harvest deer within the CWD management zone (deer permit area 602) cannot remove the carcass from the zone until a CWD-negative test result is reported. Testing typically takes three business days to complete and results can be accessed by hunters online.

Other deer permit areas where in-person registration is required for CWD testing, but which do not have carcass movement restrictions, are areas 341, 342, 343 and 344. Although closed to hunting now, those areas will reopen to hunting from Saturday, Nov. 19, to Sunday, Nov. 27. Check stations will reopen in those areas with the season.

Electronic registration via telephone or Internet is not available in these areas. Check stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.