The DNR is making another call for hunters to come in with deer heads so the agency can get a better idea about the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in the area.
Positive deer have been identified at a Three Lakes game farm which triggered CWD rules for the hunt in Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties. Wild deer were found with the disease in northern Lincoln county which triggered special rules for Lincoln and Langlade counties.
DNR wildlife health program chief Tami Ryan says there are a number of options for successful hunters to have their deer meat checked and provide information for DNR researchers...
"...They're 24/7 locations called self-service kiosks. Hunters will find everything they need there to get their deer head into the system, an adult deer head into the system. To provide the information the Department needs to not only get the results back to the hunter but also to track the data that goes along with disease surveillance...."
Ryan says kiosks are useful in areas without a current cooperative sampling station. She says getting a handle on the size of the problem has hunters at the center of it...
"...Our Wisconsin deer hunters have been very helpful and they've been providing contributions over the years. In the information we've learned in the more than 16 year timeline is due to the Wisconsin deer hunter providing information for our surveillance efforts...."
If hunters choose to have their deer tested through cooperating meat processors or taxidermists rather than using a self-service kiosk, they are reminded to contact sampling stations in advance to verify hours of operation. She says CWD surveillance efforts should focus on testing adult deer, since older deer are more likely to have the disease.
Ryan says the best way to find where the kiosks are located and other information is to go to the DNR website and put CWD in the search engine.
