Chronic Wasting Disease Threatens Deer Population in Minnesota
- Hunters in Hastings participated in mandatory CWD testing on the opening day of Minnesota's deer firearm season.
- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requires lymph node collection for disease monitoring.
- Effective monitoring of CWD is crucial for managing wildlife health and enhancing hunters' experiences.
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, hunters in Hastings, Minnesota, participated in mandatory chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing during the opening day of the deer firearm season. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires hunters to stop at testing sites after each successful kill, particularly in the southeast region of the state. DNR crews collected lymph nodes from the harvested deer for testing to monitor and control the disease. The designated 'Mandatory' zone restricts the transportation of deer until test results are available. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive data collection effort for CWD monitoring. John Bourne, an assistant wildlife manager with the DNR, emphasized the importance of this collaboration with hunters to ensure effective disease management, which benefits both wildlife health and the hunting experience.