Deer are positive for CWD in the disease management area near Preston; Resources available on tests – Austin Daily Herald

A deer caught during the opening weekend of the archery season in the Southeastern Minnesota disease management area was tested positive for chronic debilitating disease (CDD), according to the report. Department of Natural Resources.

According to a press release issued on Monday, a hunter captured the adult male deer about one kilometer east of Preston, in the center of the MDC's management zone. Mandatory monitoring is in effect for the area, which is designated Deer License Area 603.

Eighteen deer caught in the disease management area have been tested positive for the disease since autumn 2016.

"This discovery underscores the importance and necessity of our disease surveillance efforts, and we are grateful for the hunters' willingness to help us combat CWD by complying with existing regulations regarding sampling and carcass movement restrictions, "said Lou Cornicelli, head of wildlife research.

The complete results of DTC testing in southeastern Minnesota are available on the MNR website at mndnr.gov/cwdcheck. Any additional deer harvested during the current and upcoming 2018 season in the disease management area and tested positive for CWD will be reported on the Disease Outcomes webpage. The DNR will directly inform any hunter who is harvesting a deer that has a positive test. Comprehensive information for hunters on the MDC for current and upcoming hunting seasons are available online at mndnr.gov/cwd.

MNR has prepared videos on deer boxing and hairstyling that can help hunters comply with export restrictions imposed by the MDC Management Zone and carcass importation restrictions. from other states. They are available online at the address mndnr.gov/cwd/videos.html.

Hunters should also check the DNR website and the Minnesota Hunting Regulations book for more information. This year, CWD test sites are included in the specifications.

"We are informing hunters of what they can do to minimize the risk to our wild deer population," Cornicelli said. "There are some changes in this year's surveillance areas and the video information should help clarify the changes."

MNR is partnering with the Bluffland Whitetails Association to provide a tent in Preston where hunters can peel their deer and appropriately dispose of their remains. Hunters who practice the neighborhood properly may take whole quarters with bone from the main leg or deer meat harvested from outside the MDC management area, provided that the head or the spine is not fixed before the test results.