Hunters asked for deer samples for disease testing

Hunters in central North Dakota are being asked this year to take part in a study to see if chronic wasting disease or bovine tuberculosis is found in the areas deer population. The study is conducted every year and rotates across North Dakota on an east-to-west basis, said Randy Kreil, biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

“We’re looking for hunters to drop off their deer heads so that we can monitor for those diseases,” he said. “The heads should have the deer tag attached so we can contact the hunter for more information if needed.”

Kreil said that skull caps and antlers can be removed and that fawns are not tested. He also said it is important to have hunter information with the sample so that if any disease is detected they can get a location of where the animal was harvested.

Hunters are asked to bring in the samples of deer harvested in units 2H, 2I, 2J1, 2J2, 2K1, 2K2, 3A4, 3B3 and 3C. Those hunters who do participate will be eligible for a drawing for five muzzleloading rifles and 100 Sagen Saws. Winners will be randomly selected and notified in December.

The testing is routine and is part of the state’s effort to remain free of these diseases.

“We’ve never had any CWD or TB found in North Dakota,” Kreil said. “And that is the way we’d like to keep it.”

CWD affects the nervous system of members of the deer family and is always fatal. There is no evidence it can be transmitted to humans or agricultural livestock.

Bovine tuberculosis is not fatal to deer but they can serve as a carrier of the disease between livestock herds.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at (701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: chronic wasting disease, hunting, deer, cwd, tuberculosis, tb