Deer hunters, as you enjoy deer seasons and make plans for hunting, here’s a reminder about deer carcass movement restrictions.

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 management zone until a “not detected” test result is received. DPAs 255, 343 and 344 form a control zone and whole deer carcasses cannot be moved out of a control zone or the adjacent management zone until a “not-detected” test result is received. Hunters are allowed to move whole deer carcasses in between contiguous management zone DPAs or from a control zone DPA into the management zone.

If hunters do not submit their deer for sampling or want to transport it outside these zones before getting a test result, they must debone or quarter their deer, properly disposing of the head and spinal column inside the zones. The DNR provides dumpsters for hunters to use to help facilitate carcass disposal.

These restrictions are part of a comprehensive strategy to keep Minnesota’s deer, elk and moose healthy by limiting the spread of disease. Find details for the DPA you hunt in by visiting the DNR chronic wasting disease webpage and using the “find your requirements for your DPA” tool.

The map shows boundaries of carcass movement restrictions in red, around DPAs that are in a CWD management or control zone.

Find CWD sampling information

Chronic wasting disease sampling is occurring in eight distinct areas throughout the state where CWD has been found in captive or wild deer in Minnesota or an adjacent state. And even outside these distinct areas, Minnesota hunters can get their deer sampled for CWD.

As you make your deer hunting plans, check the CWD requirements and sampling options for your deer permit area by visiting the DPA lookup tool, available on the DNR chronic wasting disease webpage along with other information and resources.