By Blake Jackson
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding hunters that they play a vital role in monitoring and managing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) across the state.
One of the most effective ways to track the disease is through testing harvested deer, and testing services are available statewide.
This fall, the DNR is prioritizing sample collection in areas near recent CWD detections. Additional testing in these regions will help wildlife officials better understand the spread and prevalence of the disease.
CWD is a fatal neurological disorder that affects deer, elk, moose, and caribou. It is classified as a prion disease, caused by misfolded proteins that spread through direct animal contact or contaminated environments.
Once present, prions can remain in soil for years, making disease control challenging. Infected deer may show symptoms such as severe weight loss, poor coordination, drooping head and ears, excessive drooling, and a loss of fear of people.
Testing Options for Hunters
Hunters can choose from several testing methods:
- Self-service kiosks open around the clock, where deer heads with at least five inches of neck attached can be dropped off.
- Cooperating meat processors or taxidermists who collect samples during processing.
- At-home lymph node kits, available at kiosks with step-by-step instructions.
- Appointments with local DNR staff, though availability is limited.
Results are typically available within one to two weeks and can be checked on the DNR’s CWD Sample and Disposal Locations map.
If a hunter’s deer tests positive, replacement harvest authorizations will be issued within days to their Go Wild account. These replacements are valid statewide or within the same unit, depending on the authorization type, and extend into the 2026 hunting season.
Proper disposal of carcasses through designated dumpsters, landfills, or transfer stations helps limit the disease’s spread. Hunters are also reminded to follow baiting and feeding bans, with Manitowoc and Clark counties under new restrictions this year.
While no human cases of CWD have been reported, health experts strongly advise against eating meat from infected deer.
Photo Credit: pexels-jim-fawns
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy, Rural Lifestyle