DNR Offering Hunters Virtual Meeting on Chronic Wasting Disease

The Iowa DNR will be working with hunters again this gun season to collect deer tissue samples to test for chronic wasting disease. 

Chronic wasting disease has been found in sixteen Iowa counties, including Clayton, Dubuque and Fayette. 

So far this year, tissue samples from eight individual deer are suspected positive for the disease.

Hunters interested in participating in the surveillance effort are encouraged to contact their local wildlife biologist to arrange for a sample to be collected. If hunting in an area where chronic wasting disease has been found, hunters are encouraged to hold the deer meat separately until the test results are available. Hunters can check the results online at the Iowa CWD dashboard at iowadnr.gov/cwdresults. If a hunter’s deer tests positive, the DNR will contact them to offer to collect the meat and any other parts of the animal for proper disposal. Hunters in areas where the disease has been found need a plan for carcass disposal.

Tonight, the DNR is hosting a virtual public meeting on chronic wasting disease at 7 p.m., when staff will provide an update on the science of the disease, its status in Iowa, and current management efforts. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. You can sign up online at https://bit.ly/IowaDNR-CWD.