2009 Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Sampling of Hunter-Harvested Deer, Elk and Moose
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hunting units are being sampled in 2009?
Heads will be collected from the the western half of the state for CWD and the northeastern-most units for TB.
- Deer CWD units: 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3B1, 3B2, 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F.
- Deer TB units: 2C and 2D.
- Moose and elk: All units.
What information has to be attached to the head?
Every head sampled must have either the attached or a new tag can be filled out and attached
with the following required information: license number, hunting unit, and date harvested.
Any head without the required information WILL NOT be sampled.
What is the Hunter Cooperator Drawing and who is eligible?
The ND Game and Fish Department will be randomly selecting winners from the list of all hunters
whose deer, moose, or elk heads are sampled during the 2009 sampling efforts. Whether the head was collected
at a meat processor, taxidermist, or voluntary drop-off location does not affect eligibility
for the drawing. A total of 5 muzzleloaders and 100 Sagen Saws will be given away.
Where should I drop off a moose or an elk head?
Moose and elk heads should be taken to a Game and Fish office.
If I submit more than one head that is sampled will I be entered into the lottery more than
once?
Yes. Every sample tested gives the hunter another entry in the Hunter Cooperator Drawing.
Are head-shot animals accepted and can skull caps be removed?
Yes and yes. There are two tissues which can be tested for CWD, the brainstem and lymph nodes located
at the back of the neck (medial retropharyngeal lymph node). It is a rare event that both of
these tissues have been destroyed; therefore, head-shot animals and animals with skull caps
removed will be sampled. Make sure the head is properly and securely marked.
How long will the ND Game and Fish Department be collecting deer heads?
Barrels will be at the designated collection sites by November 7th. The barrels will remain in place
until November 23.
Will fawns be collected?
No. Both CWD and TB are chronic progressive diseases which take a long time to develop. Therefore,
fawns are highly unlikely to carry either disease.
How will I know if I won a prize in the Hunter Cooperator Drawing?
The ND Game and Fish Department will notify those hunters whose names were drawn. Hunters will be
notified by the end of December if they won.
Will I be notified of the testing results of my animal?
Currently, ND is considered CWD and TB free. In the unlikely event that an animal tests positive
for either disease, the hunter will be notified. Hunters will not be notified of negative results.
How long does it take for the ND Game and Fish Department to get the testing results?
Test results will be released in a Department press release when completed.
What are the plans for future CWD and TB testing?
CWD: We will sample deer in the eastern third of the state in 2010. This allows the entire state to be sampled for CWD over a three-year period.
TB: We will sample for TB in the NE corner of the state each year regardless
of where the CWD sampling efforts are occurring.
How can my deer be sampled?
If your deer was harvested from the designated sampling area and is a yearling or older, deer heads
may be dropped off at voluntary drop-off locations including:
Western CWD Surveillance Unit head drop off barrel locations:
- Alexander – Old School Meat Processing
- Belfield – Tesoro Station. Note: The Game and Fish Department will operate a check station at the Dairy Queen November 7-8 from 8 a.m. to dark).
- Bismarck – Game and Fish Department office, Call of the Wild Taxidermy and M&M Sausage and Meats
- Carson – Double R Meats
- Dickinson – Dickinson Game and Fish district office and Dean’s Meat Market
- Dunn Center – Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge office
- Foxholm – Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge office
- Garrison – Garrison Custom Meats
- Glen Ullin – Kuntz Butcher Shop
- Hazen – Hazen Meats
- Hettinger – Dakota Packing
- Kenmare – Kenmare Locker (Jack-n-Jill) and Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge office
- Marmarth – Past Time Club and Steakhouse
- Mandan – Butcher Block Meats
- Medora – Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch
- Minot – Hensen’s Fur and Leather and S&K Processing
- Mohall – Engebretson Processing
- Parshall – Myers Meats
- Riverdale – Riverdale Game and Fish district office
- Scranton – Wolf’s Processing
- Williston – Williston Game and Fish district office and Scenic Sports
Northeastern TB Surveillance Unit (2C and 2D) head drop off barrell locations
- Edinburg – Ellingson Meats
- Fordville – Dakota Prairie Wildlife Club
- Langdon – Hickory Hut
- Larimore – Glenn’s EZ Stop
- Park River – Randy’s Backyard Smokehouse
- Reynolds – Webster’s Meats
- Walhalla – Walhalla Co-op (drop off point by water tower)
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