When archery deer season opens September 16, mandatory testing for chronic wasting disease and carcass moving restrictions return to the southeastern CWD management zone, deer permit area 603.
Archery hunters in deer permit area 603 will be required to submit the head from all adult deer 1 year old or older so lymph nodes can be tested for CWD. Hunters cannot remove the carcass or carcass remains from the CWD zone until a negative test result is reported.
Carcass movement restrictions allow hunters to immediately transport deer pieces without spinal column parts, boned-out meat, and antlers with a skull plate free of brain matter.
Hunters are advised check page 65 of the 2017 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook for additional information.
“Hunters are encouraged to plan ahead and be aware of the testing that will be required and the specifics about when they can and can’t move carcasses out of the CWD zone,” said Lou Cornicelli, wildlife research manager. “As a reminder, the CWD management zone was created from DPAs 347 and 348, so hunters need to be mindful of what area they’re hunting.” Check the DPA map.
Hunters are required to register their deer, and phone and internet registration is allowed during the archery season in the CWD zone. The system will be monitored for compliance and may be turned off if needed.
Mandatory testing and carcass movement restrictions will remain in effect for area 603 throughout deer seasons for archery, firearm, muzzleloader and any late season hunts.
Fall 2017 mandatory CWD testing is required in four areas:
North central: Deer permit areas 155, 171, 172, 242, 246, 247, 248 and 249.
Central: Deer permit areas 218, 219, 229, 277, 283 and 285.
Southeast: Deer permit areas 343, 345, 346, 347, 348 and 349.
Disease management zone: Deer permit area 603, which is surrounded by the southeast testing zone.
Head collection boxes will be located in Chatfield: Magnum Sports, 1 1st St., (507)867-4399; Preston: DNR area forestry office, 912 Houston St., (507)765-2740; Lanesboro: DNR area fisheries office, 23789 Grosbeak Rd., (507)467-2442; Wykoff: Goodies and Gas, 104 E Front St., (507)352-2421; and Harmony: Oak Meadow Meats, 50 9th St., (507)886-6328.
Samples during the archery season will be submitted for testing on Mondays and Thursdays. It may take up to four business days for test results to be available. CWD test results can be searched using a nine-digit MDNR number online.
For a demonstration of caping and carcass regulations, watch here.
The most recent CWD information for deer hunters is updated.