Deer hunting seasons begin this weekend with archery and crossbow seasons, and the DNR reminds hunters who harvest deer to have adult deer tested for chronic wasting disease especially in areas affected by CWD like the Northwoods.
DNR wildlife health section chief Tami Ryan says they hope hunters submit the samples from their harvested deer….
“…We have targeted areas of interest for the 2018 season. That surveillance plan is on our agency website on the CWD page. You can see from that map the areas of primary interest where we hope hunters will submit samples from….”
Hunters can go to the regular in-person registration. There’s also a self-service option. Hunters can go to a self-serve kiosk where hunters can drop off the deer head for testing. Hunters can locate this option on the CWD page of the DNR website.
Ryan says there are many groups and individuals who would like to help the DNR meet its sampling goals. It has taken the form of “Adopt-a-Kiosk”….
“….Individuals and organizations see it as a way to help. Either by monitoring a kiosk and notifying local department staff that supplies are getting low, need to restock the kiosk as far as different levels and checking data errors and helping us with the data….”
She says some volunteers help retrieve the samples from the heads.
Ryan adds there are 43 Wisconsin counties with a baiting and feeding ban due to CWD detections. She says if there are no new detections in Marquette county that county will be lifted from the baiting and feeding ban.
