State wants deer samples

North Dakota will once again test harvested deer, moose and elk for chronic wasting disease and bovine turberculosis, according to a press release. Hunters who drop off samples have a chance to win muzzleloaders and saws.

The Game and Fish Department will test animals from 17 units in western North Dakota and two in the northeast.

Samples from hunter-harvested deer taken in the west will be tested from units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3B1, 3B2, 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F.

Dr. Dan Grove, wildlife veterinarian, said animals in northeastern North Dakota from units 2C and 2D will continue to be tested for TB until it has been eradicated from the adjacent Minnesota herd. "Even then we will test the northeast for a few more years," he said.

Every head sampled must have either the deer tag attached, or a tag can be filled out with the license number, deer hunting unit and date harvested. Skull caps and antlers can be removed.

Participating hunters will have their names entered in a drawing for five muzzleloaders and 100 Sagen Saws. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by the end of December.

This is the final year of a three-year plan to sample the state. Animals in eastern North Dakota were tested in 2007, while the central portion of the state was sampled last year.

"A new cycle will begin next year in the eastern third of the state," Grove said.

CWD affects the nervous system of deer and is always fatal. Scientists have found no evidence that CWD can be transmitted naturally to humans or livestock. To date, CWD and TB have not been diagnosed in wild or farmed cervids in North Dakota, though these diseases have been found in surrounding states and provinces.

Collection sites

Game and Fish personnel will operate a head collection site Nov. 7-8 at the Dairy Queen in Belfield.

Hunters are encouraged to drop off deer heads at the following locations:

Alexander - Old School Meat Processing

Belfield - Cenex

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 - Game and Fish district office

Scranton - Wolf's Processing

Williston - Williston Game and Fish district office and Scenic Sports

Drop off locations for deer taken from units 2C and 2D:

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

* Moose and elk heads should be taken to a Game and Fish office.