Northwoods Adventure: DNR To Require CWD Testing During Hunting Opener

There’s excitement in the air and in the woods surrounding this week’s deer hunting opener. However, positive results of chronic wasting disease in a number of deer around the state will alter how hunting will take place this year. Chronic wasting disease (or CWD) affects deer and includes symptoms of mood changes, losing a fear of people, walking in circles, among others.

There will be new requirements for deer hunters after positive CWD tests were performed on deer on a deer farm in the southern part of Minnesota. After killing a deer, hunters will be required to bring the deer to a testing site to have the deer tested for CWD.

The DNR says the requirement of the testing is a proactive approach to making sure the disease doesn’t spread into the wild. The timing of these tests, early in the season, will be key to controlling the spread of the disease.

The testing of chronic wasting disease is only required for the first two days of deer hunting this weekend.