ST. PAUL, MINN. – The first suspected case of chronic wasting disease in a wild deer along Minnesota’s border with North Dakota has prompted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to implement voluntary CWD sampling for all deer harvested in this area during the 2021 firearms season.
Hunters who harvest deer in permit areas 261 and 262, which are located between Moorhead on the south and Oslo on the north, are strongly encouraged to leave samples at self-service stations in Nielsville and Climax.
Preliminary test results from a deer harvested southwest of Climax strongly indicate a CWD infection. Confirmation of the initial result is expected next week.
No cases of CWD had been reported in wild or captive deer in nearby areas, and no CWD sampling requirements were in place. The hunter voluntarily collected the sample and paid for a private test. When preliminary results came back positive, the hunter contacted the DNR.
Testing is free for deer harvested in permit areas 261 and 262 as well as any other deer permit area designated a CWD surveillance, management, or control zone.
