Hunters Asked to Submit Wildlife Heads for Disease Testing

With the onset of hunting season, the Government of Saskatchewan is calling upon hunters to submit the heads of particular animals as the Ministry of Environment continue to monitor Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

The ministry, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF), are asking hunters to submit the heads of all deer, moose, elk and caribou harvested this hunting season, so they can be tested for CWD. The government has pinpointed wildlife management zones (WMZ) that are of particular importance to monitor for the disease.

Hunters who harvest wildlife in WMZ’s, 9, 10, 2W, 35 and 37 are strongly urged to submit all mule deer and white-tailed deer heads for testing.

The ministry states they are hoping to collect at least 300 samples in each of the zones so they can more accurately assess changes in the disease, helping in providing a solution for future management options.

Additionally, the boreal transition zone has been targeted as an area of importance in order to evaluate the impact of CWD and the risks to caribou. The targeted WMZ’s include 43, 47, 48, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 67.

• Wildlife Management Zones Map

Darrel Crabbe, SWF executive director, stated the SWF will set up and manage drop off sites to help augment the collection and testing program.

CWD is a fatal disease and affects the central nervous system in animals who are a part of the deer family. Currently there is no known cure for the disease, hence why there is a focus on managing the high-risk zones to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Although no human case of CWD has ever been identified, the ministry strongly recommends that hunters avoid eating the meat until they receive their test results. In addition, hunters are strongly urged not to eat, or distribute for human consumption, the meat or other parts from animals that are found to be CWD-positive,” stated the government in a recent news release.

Hunters should also be aware that they will need a CWD tracking number prior to dropping off the heads for testing. For more information on drop-off sites and how to submit a sample for testing, click here.