Hunters Asked to Help with CWD Detection in Northern Wisconsin

Hunters Asked to Help with CWD Detection in Northern Wisconsin

Self-sampling kiosks are a convenient way for hunters to have their deer tested for CWD.Photo credit: DNR

Contact(s): Chuck McCullough, DNR Wildlife Areas Supervisor, 715-210-5716, [email protected]

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is conducting enhanced Chronic Wasting Disease sampling across 18 counties in northern Wisconsin as a part of a multi-year sweep across the state to test for CWD in places where sampling has been more limited in recent years. Hunters who harvest a deer in this area this season are strongly encouraged to have their deer sampled for CWD testing.

“Our goal is to determine where CWD is on the Wisconsin landscape,” said acting DNR Wildlife Management Bureau Director Tami Ryan. To meet this goal, the department is seeking to test as many deer as hunters will provide for sampling.

“Deer hunters have a very important role in making this enhanced effort a success,” Ryan said. “With their support, we will all gain a more current understanding of where CWD is present on the landscape.”

To help hunters submit samples for CWD testing, the department and local volunteers have worked together to provide sampling locations throughout the 18 counties. These locations include self-service kiosks, sampling stations located at businesses/cooperators and the option to meet with local DNR Wildlife Management staff. The Spooner and Rhinelander DNR Service Centers also have free CWD self-sample kits while supplies last. These kits have all supplies necessary to collect and submit a tissue sample for CWD testing.

No matter how hunters submit samples, they need to have their deer harvest authorization number, DNR customer number, current contact information and the location of harvest.

Find an interactive map and searchable database of statewide sampling and deer carcass waste disposal locations by visiting dnr.wi.gov and searching keywords “CWD sampling.” Hunters should check their sampling location information before submitting a CWD sample to verify hours of operation as these may change throughout the season.