Hunting News

New self-service CWD sampling stations now open

New self-service CWD sampling stations now open

By Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Alabama’s Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has deployed six self-service Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling stations in north Alabama as part of its increased CWD sampling surveillance efforts in the state.

The sample station freezers are in Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Franklin, Lauderdale and Colbert counties, and are available to receive deer head samples 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

WFF recently increased CWD sampling surveillance efforts in north Alabama after deer in nearby Mississippi and Tennessee tested CWD-positive.

CWD is a contagious and deadly neurological disease that affects members of the deer family. To date, no deer in Alabama have tested positive for CWD.

To prepare the sample to be dropped off at one of the self-service locations, hunters must first remove the deer’s head leaving 4-6 inches of neck attached. Once it’s removed, place the head in the provided plastic bag and tie it closed. For bucks, antlers can be removed at the base of each antler or by removing the skull plate before bagging the head.

Next, complete all sections of the Biological Sample Tag and attach it to the bag with a zip tie. Remove and retain the bottom receipt portion of the Biological Sample Tag before placing the bagged head in the freezer. Plastic sample bags, tags and zip ties are provided at each freezer location.

Hunters also can have deer sampled at any WFF District Office or at the WFF office in Marengo County. When providing samples at WFF offices, hunters can bring a whole deer, field-dressed deer, or just the head from a harvested animal.

WFF offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hunters should call ahead so a biologist is available to collect the sample. The WFF office in Marengo County is located at 1105 Bailey Dr., Demopolis, Ala., 36732, phone (334)289-8030.

WFF District Office contact information is available here.

Test results will be emailed to the hunter within three to four weeks.

Self-service CWD drop off sampling site locations:

Fayette County: Fayette County Extension Office, 650 McConnell Loop, Fayette, Ala., 35555; N 33.7303, W -87.8048

Lamar County: Hunter's Gold Processing, 11634 County Rd. 9, Millport, Ala., 35576; N 33.6375, W -88.2313

Marion County: Watson's Grocery, 5658 State Highway 19, Detroit, Ala., 35552  N 34.1298, W -88.1238

Franklin County: Fancher’s Taxidermy, 715 Newell Rd., Red Bay, Ala., 35582  N 34.4341, W -88.1126

Lauderdale County: Florence Frozen Meats, 1050 South Court St., Florence, Ala., 35630  N 34.7901, W -87.6694

Colbert County: Yogi's Texaco, 17750 US Highway 72, Tuscumbia, Ala., 35674  N 34.7219, W -87.8126

WFF will also conduct a voluntary CWD-sampling station manned by WFF biologists on January 12-13, in Waterloo, Ala., in Lauderdale County.

• Saturday, January 12, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Sunday, January 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The sampling station in Lauderdale County will be set up in the parking lot of Waterloo Fire Station #1, 6390 County Road 14, Waterloo, Ala., 35677.

Copyright 2024 by Buckmasters, Ltd.

Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd