UNDATED (WSAU-WXPR) — With the bow hunting season for deer underway and the gun hunting season approaching, the DNR is again asking for businesses and hunters to help out by donating deer heads to test for Chronic Wasting Disease.
Wildlife biologist Jeremy Holtz in Rhinelander says their primary sample method is hunter-harvest deer.
“Last deer season was our first effort. We sampled over 200 deer and there were no positives so we want to collect as many as we can this year and continue to keep our deer herd healthy,” said Holtz.
“All they have to do is use one of our local drop offs, self-serve kiosks. They can remove the head before or after processing,or taxidermy. They can fill out a little bit of paperwork, leave their email address and we can send the results as soon as we get them.”
Holtz says the state has put an emphasis on getting the testing results back to the hunter as soon as possible. If hunters you call the number at the drop-off kiosk, the Department will work to get the deer head processed as quickly as possible. The DNR is also encouraging hunters to check back on the agency’s website if they have questions.
Chronic wasting disease attacks the nervous system of deer and can be passed on to other deer in a variety of ways. You can get a map of current sampling areas at this link.
