Wisconsin Ag Connection - Hunters Urged to Test Deer for CWD Before Consuming Venison

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Hunters Urged to Test Deer for CWD Before Consuming Venison
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/13/2019

With deer hunting season upon us, state natural resources officials are encouraging hunters who harvest deer in counties affected by Chronic Wasting Disease to have the animal tested for CWD, and only consume venison from deer that test negative for the disorder.

"Although this venison consumption advisory has been in place for years, we thought it was important to remind people of it as we approach this fall's deer season," said Rachel Klos, State Public Health Veterinarian of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. "The safest approach is to only consume venison from healthy-appearing deer with test results indicating that CWD was not detected. This is consistent with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization."

CWD is a fatal disease that affects the nervous system of deer, elk moose, and caribou. An abnormal protein called a prion causes the disease, which is not destroyed by cooking temperatures.

The DNR has been testing samples from hunter-harvested deer to monitor the disease in the wild deer herd since it was first detected in 2002. The testing methods conducted on the samples provide results about whether CWD was detected or not detected at the time of sampling.

To find a location nearby to submit samples free of charge, visit the Find CWD Sampling, Registration and Deer Disposal Sites page of the DNR website. Test results are usually available from the DNR within two weeks.

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