With the hunting season winding down, hunters were reminded to get their animals tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD).
Eighty-four cases of CWD have already been identified in the province this year.聽CWD is a fatal, infectious central nervous system disease in cervids (deer, elk, moose and caribou)聽with no known cure.
The information accumulated through head submissions by hunters is vital to understanding how the disease has impacted Saskatchewan鈥檚 wildlife populations.
鈥淒espite the challenges and changes we鈥檝e all had to face in 2020, more than 1,300 heads have already been submitted as part of the ministry鈥檚 voluntary CWD surveillance program,鈥� Environment Minister Warren Kaeding said. 鈥淚dentifying the presence and spread of CWD in the province will help guide the development of disease management plans.鈥�
Hunters in wildlife management zones (WMZs) 2W, 9, 10, 35 and 37 were asked to submit mule deer and white-tailed deer heads for testing. However, free聽testing is available for all cervid species harvested in any wildlife management zones in the province.
Research suggested CWD has affected parts of North America, resulting in decreased survival rates聽and population declines in mule deer.
Although no human cases of CWD have ever been identified, the province recommended that hunters should avoid eating the meat until receiving their test results.
In addition, hunters were strongly urged not to eat, or distribute meat (and other body parts) for human consumption in animals found to be CWD-positive.
The last day to drop off animal heads聽for testing is January 21, 2021.
A complete list of drop-off sites and information on submitting samples for testing is available at .
