Officials with Saskatchewan Environment are once again asking hunters to take part in the chronic wasting disease testing program.

The fatal disease can affect the central nervous systems of deer, elk, moose and caribou. It has been found in over half of the province’s 83 wildlife management zones. It has not yet been detected in caribou.

Wildlife Health Specialist Iga Stasiak says the heads of harvested animals should be frozen and taken to one of the many designated drop-off locations across the province.

“The samples that we need for CWD testing are at the base of the head,” she said. “We just ask that they cut the head off and try not to cut it too close to the base.”

Stasiak says the process of submitting a head for testing is free and it takes several weeks for the results to be sent back to the hunter.

Hunters can help reduce the spread of CWD through the proper disposal of deer carcass waste.

Avoid transporting a deer carcass from the area where it was taken, especially from areas where CWD has been detected.

If a carcass is transported, hunters are asked to dispose of it by double-bagging it and taking it to a landfill.

For a list of drop-off sites and information on how to submit a sample for testing, hunters can visit the Saskatchewan CWD submission and tracking website.

(PHOTO: Moose. Photo courtesy of Saskatchewan Environment.)