2008 CWD Testing Locations

The Ministry of Natural Resources' 2008 monitoring program for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in wild deer populations will be conducted in parts of Southeastern Ontario and Northeastern/Central Ontario. Although there are no known cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in wild deer or elk in Ontario, testing deer for CWD is a way to monitor the health of our whitetail populations, and ensures readiness if the disease is ever found. Hunter participation in the MNR testing program is critical to the success of the Ontario monitoring efforts.

2008 Testing Locations

Testing locations in southeastern Ontario for 2008 are: Wildlife Management Units 
59, 62, 63, 67, 68A, 68B, 69A1, 69A2, 69A3, 69B, 70 in the Belleville - Perth - Renfrew area.  View a map of testing locations in southeastern Ontario.

Testing locations in northeastern/central Ontario for 2008 are: Wildlife Management Units 
42, 43A, 43B, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50, 53A, 53B, 54, 56 in the Manitoulin Island - Parry Sound - Bracebridge area.  View a map of testing locations in northeastern/central Ontario.

Hunters who harvest a deer (yearling or older) from one of these WMUs can have it tested free of charge by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Note: Fawns will not be tested as this disease is less likely to be detected in fawns.

Sample collection procedure

During the firearm hunts, roving crews of Ministry of Natural Resources wildlife research technicians will be visiting hunt camps and requesting samples from harvested deer. The research technicians will ask the hunter's permission to remove a small amount of tissue from the head area of the deer for analysis. The deer will then be returned to the hunter. Sampling will not prevent hunters from consuming the meat or having the head mounted.

Samples are also needed from deer harvested by archery hunters and by firearms hunters who are not contacted by the roving crews. These hunters are asked to take the heads of yearling or older deer they harvest, as soon as possible but preferably within a few days of being harvested, to one of the locations listed below for deposit in an MNR freezer. Hunters will be asked to provide the date and location of the harvest as well as their contact information. (NOTE: If a hunter fails to provide complete information, the sample will not be tested.)

Freezer Locations - freezers available starting October 1, 2008

If you hunted in one of the designated WMUs and you are willing to have your deer sampled, but are unable to submit your deer head(s) to one of the freezer locations, please contact Tore Buchanan of the Wildlife Research and Development Section at (705) 755-2275 or by e-mail at Tore.Buchanan@ontario.ca

The cooperation of hunters is appreciated.

Participating hunters will be notified (as soon as test results are available) if their deer tests positive for the disease.

PLEASE NOTE:  MNR's surveillance program is designed to rotate through the province from year to year. Deer which are outside the specific WMUs under surveillance for 2008 (listed above), cannot be tested at this time unless they clearly exhibit signs of sickness. Hunters will be notified when CWD testing will take place in their area. For more information on the MNR surveillance program, please contact Tore Buchanan of the Wildlife Research and Development Section at (705) 755-2275 or by e-mail at Tore.Buchanan@ontario.ca.