The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is providing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) drop-off locations within the Franklin, Madison and Tensas parishes CWD Control Area for deer hunters to submit samples for CWD testing.

Hunters wishing to submit deer heads to have them tested for CWD can visit these locations, submit samples and view results using the sample number obtained at the drop-off location. The locations are self-service and hunters will be able to place deer heads in freezers provided. Instructions as well as sampling bags and hunter information cards are provided at the locations.

CWD Control Area Drop-off Locations that will be available for the 2022-23 season include:

 

A map of these locations is available on the LDWF website at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/assets/Hunting/Deer/Files/CWD-Control-Area-Drop-Off-Locations.pdf.

CWD is a neurodegenerative disease of white-tailed deer and other members of the family Cervidae. It is caused by a prion, an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and is 100% fatal in affected deer after an indeterminate incubation period. There is no treatment or preventative vaccine for CWD.

CWD-infected deer may exhibit signs of weight loss and emaciation, excessive salivation, frequent drinking and urination, incoordination, circling and lack of fear of people and always results in death of the animal.

Although CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend against the human consumption of deer known to be infected with CWD. Also, it is recommended that people hunting in areas known to harbor CWD-infected deer have their deer tested for the disease prior to consuming the animals. 

In addition to self-service drop-off locations, hunters statewide desiring to have their harvested deer tested for CWD can contact local LDWF Field Offices to have their deer tested. Testing is performed on the brainstem and lymph nodes of the head. The head and five inches or more of the neck can be removed and refrigerated for submission to LDWF. The skull plate and antlers can be removed prior to testing if desired. The LDWF regional office contact information and locations are as follows:

Detailed instructions and more information can be found at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd-testing.

For more information on CWD, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd.

For questions or more information, contact the LDWF Monroe Field Office at 318-484-4044, extension 2.