WABASHA, Minn. — Hunters will have another chance to harvest additional deer this weekend, Dec. 15-17, while taking part in a special hunt designed to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
Officials with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced in early December that deer permit area 342 near Wabasha is being added to the late-season CWD management hunt. The bonus weekend is designed to assess potential disease spread and to help lower the risk of CWD transmission by reducing the number of deer.
Deer permit areas open to this CWD management hunt are 342, 605, 643, 645, 646, 647, 648 and 649. The DNR notes that although the bag limit for the Dec. 15-17 hunt is unlimited, 98% of successful hunters during the late CWD hunt in 2022 took only one or two deer.
WHO CAN HUNT
- Hunters can use any unfilled archery, firearms, muzzleloader or landowner deer hunting license. Unfilled bonus permits and early antlerless permits also may be used. The hunting method must match the license.
- Any unfilled disease management permits can be used, or hunters can purchase a disease management permit for $2.50. During this special hunt, those using disease management permits can hunt using archery, firearms or muzzleloader, and do not need any additional deer hunting license or permit.
- Unlike other hunts, disease management permits may be used to tag both antlered and antlerless deer. Bonus permits and early antlerless tags can only be used to tag antlerless deer. Note: Vermillion Highlands WMA is closed to public hunting during the CWD management hunt.
Due to the fact that this hunt is to help assess the spread of CWD, testing of harvested deer is mandatory. Harvested deer must be taken to a sampling station, or as an alternative, hunters can use the mail-in sampling kits rather than a check station and must have their samples postmarked within 72 hours of harvest.
For more on the December CWD deer hunt, the permit areas where it is being held and testing options, check out the DNR website.
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