Subject: Hunters Encouraged to Have Deer Tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Dear Hunters,
With General (Rifle) White-tailed Deer and All equipment Mule Deer Seasons now around the corner, the Manitoba Wildlife Branch continues its Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program for the 2023/24 hunting season.
To streamline requirements for hunters, options have been added for the sampling of deer and elk for CWD within the Mandatory Sample Submission Zone. These options will reduce turnaround times for CWD test results.
1. Hunters now have the option to extract and submit the required tissue samples themselves.
Details on the required samples and step-by-step instructions can be found here:
- Deer – Illustrations on how to extract tissue samples
- Video: Lymph Node Extraction Instructional Video Chronic Wasting Disease
- Elk – Illustrations on how to extract tissue samples
Please be prepared to provide all the information required when filling out the Wildlife Sample Receipt Form. Drop off locations are available across the province.
2. The mandatory submission period for samples has also been extended from two days to seven days following animal harvest. This extension will allow hunters more time to extract, process, and submit the required samples.
Hunting and hunter participation is critical to the long-term management of CWD and in protecting populations, and we thank you for your continued efforts.
More information on CWD is available by visiting the website: CWD in Manitoba