Hunting can help slow the spread of CWD

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in more than half the counties in Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) needs your help to monitor and slow the spread of the disease.

How to help

Hunting is one of the best ways to slow the spread of CWD on the landscape. It helps manage deer populations and decrease the likelihood of disease transmission.
Consider submitting a sample of your deer harvest to the DNR for testing, especially if you hunt in one of this year’s priority areas [see map]. Lincoln, Oneida, and Marathon Counties are all in this year’s priority area. These are locations with newer detections of CWD, and additional samples will help the DNR to better understand disease levels and distributions in the area.

What happens if your harvest receives a CWD-positive test result?

If your harvest receives a positive test result, a replacement authorization will be issued to the corresponding Go Wild account within two to four days. If the positive result is from an antlered harvest, the replacement authorization will be for an antlered harvest valid statewide.
New this year, if the CWD-positive test result is from an antlerless harvest, an either-sex replacement authorization will be issued for the same DMU and land type.

Proper deer carcass waste disposal

Proper carcass waste disposal helps slow the spread of CWD by removing potentially infected deer waste from the landscape. There are several disposal resources available, including deer carcass disposal dumpsters, landfills, or transfer stations.
To find a CWD sampling or disposal location in your area, use the DNR’s CWD Sample and Disposal Locations Map here: https://shorturl.at/tEqbc.
Additional locations will be added leading up to the nine-day gun season.