To prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, hunters must take all deer harvested on Nov. 21 and 22, 2016 in Hampshire and Hardy counties to a sampling station for testing.
This is the first year for mandatory disease testing. Previously, testing was voluntary. Hunters must also check their deer by phone, online or with an official license agent.
“Sampling the harvested deer is necessary to help DNR monitor CWD and prevent its spread. The requirement to have hunters bring the carcasses to the stations increases the cost effectiveness of placing DNR personnel at sampling locations to examine deer carcasses in Hampshire and Hardy counties,” according to Assistant Chief of Game Management Gary Foster.
Hunters can bring the deer to one of nine locations Nov. 21 and 22 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. State DNR officials will be on hand to examine the deer and take samples for testing.
Hampshire County testing locations are Slanesville General Store – Route 29, Slanesville; L & M Market – U.S. Route 50, Augusta; WVDNR District II Office – 1 Depot Street, Romney; Country Store – Route 28, Springfield; and Capon Valley Market – U.S. Route 50, Capon Bridge.
Hardy County testing locations are the N & S Restaurant – State Route 259, Mathias; Baker Volunteer Fire Department – 17940 State Route 55; Judy’s Drug Store parking lot 433 S. Main Street, Moorefield; and Old Fields Country Store – U.S. Route 220, Old Fields.