Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing was prominent in the Minnesota Deer hunting season last year, but this year the Minnesota DNR is loosening up their CWD regulations. MN DNR Northwest Area Wildlife Supervisor Rob Baden tells us what’s changing and why. Baden says there is also a change in the laws regarding the transportation of…
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The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy announced that they are launching an effort to prepare for a possible chronic wasting disease spillover from members of the deer family to humans and farm animals. The CWD Team has enlisted 67 experts from seven countries to serve on five working groups. Their…
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says that they have confirmed three new cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in Northern Minnesota. The three positive tests were in Deer Management Area 679 near Grand Rapids, Area 604 near Brainerd and Area 661 near Crookston. All three of these areas have had positive CWD tests in the…
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After reports of a potential case of Chronic Wasting Disease near Climax in Polk County Rob Baden of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources gives us an update on what he’s hearing about the case. R&J News will continue to follow this story.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is increasing Chronic Wasting Disease testing in Northwest Minnesota. This increase in testing includes mandatory sampling in Norman and Polk County. MN DNR Northwest Area Wildlife Supervisor Robert Baden discusses the increase in testing and the reason for it. With this mandatory testing being in place hunters will have…
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and tribal nations are working closely together to respond to the threat of chronic wasting disease. “Like the DNR, tribal nations are concerned about CWD,” said Tanya Roerick, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe wildlife biologist. “Deer are a culturally important species and a main source of meat for many…
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Hunters harvested about 170,000 deer during the 2022 deer hunting season, a lower total harvest than in recent years. Total harvest was down 7% compared to the 2021 season and 10% less than the five-year average deer harvest for Minnesota. “Lower deer numbers in northern Minnesota and poor weather during opening weekend in some parts…
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Deer carcass movement restrictions are in place for 14 deer permit areas located in southeastern and north-central Minnesota and the south metro area. DPAs 604, 605, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 655, 661 and 679 together form the Chronic Wasting Disease management zone. Hunters are not allowed to bring whole deer carcasses outside the…
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RELEASE FROM MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting hunters and anyone interested in deer to a public information meeting to discuss chronic wasting disease in the Grand Rapids area (permit area 679, formerly DPA 179). The meeting is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, in the Chukar Auditorium at…
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As part of an adaptive approach to chronic wasting disease management statewide, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is broadening the options this year for hunters to get their deer tested for CWD. “Keeping Minnesota’s deer healthy remains a top DNR priority,” DNR Wildlife Section Manager Kelly Straka said. “The DNR’s commitment to sound surveillance…
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