Taylor County hunters strongly urged to submit deer for CWD testing

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is conducting enhanced chronic wasting disease sampling across 18 counties in northern Wisconsin as a part of a multi-year sweep across the state to test for CWD in places where sampling has been more limited in recent years. Hunters who harvest a deer in this area this season are strongly encouraged to have their deer sampled for CWD testing.

“Our goal is to determine where CWD is on the Wisconsin landscape,” said acting DNR Wildlife Management Bureau director Tami Ryan. “To meet this goal, the department is seeking to test as many deer as hunters will provide for sampling. Deer hunters have a very important role in making this enhanced effort a success. With their support, we will all gain a more current understanding of where CWD is present on the landscape.”

To help hunters submit samples for CWD testing, the department and local volunteers have worked together to provide sampling locations throughout the 18 counties. These locations include self-service kiosks, sampling stations located at businesses/cooperators and the option to meet with local DNR wildlife management staff.

The Spooner and Rhinelander DNR Service Centers also have free CWD selfsample kits while supplies last. These kits have all supplies necessary to collect and submit a tissue sample for CWD testing.

No matter how hunters submit samples, they need to have their deer harvest authorization number, DNR customer number, current contact information and the location of harvest.

Find an interactive map and searchable database of statewide sampling and deer carcass waste disposal locations by visiting dnr.wi.gov and searching keywords “CWD sampling.” Hunters should check their sampling location information before submitting a CWD sample to verify hours of operation as these may change throughout the season.

Taylor County CWD sampling options Medford DNR Ranger Station, 200 Bauer Drive, self-service kiosk available 24 hours. A dumpster to collect deer carcass waste will also be available starting Nov. 18 through the efforts of the Taylor County Sportsman’s Club.

_ Rib Lake Cenex, 1302 State Hwy 102, store open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., self-service kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Gilman Corner Store, 120 Main Street, store open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., selfservice kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Sheldon Northwoods Country Store, store open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. self-service kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Buck Stop Taxidermy, N4405 Hwy 13, Medford, by appointment only.

_ Team Smackdown Outdoors, N5002 Ball Park Road, Medford, by appointment only.

_ Conrath Quality Meats, business hours 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Clark County CWD sampling selfservice kiosk

_ Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors,

W9120 Rock Creek Road, Willard, kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Apple Valley Bar and Grill, 415 W. US Hwy 10, Neillsville, self-service kiosk available 24 hours.

_ Dumpster available for deer carcass waste at DNR building, 610 East Division Street, Neillsville.

Marathon County CWD sampling options

_ Wausau DNR Service Center, 5301 Rib Mountain Drive, self-service kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Whitetail Crossing Convenience Store, N7217 US Hwy 45, Wittenberg, selfservice kiosk available 24 hours.

_ Mead Wildlife Area Headquarter, Milladore, CWD sampling by appointment only.

_ Brad Krueger, N391 CTH D, Birnamwood,

by appointment only.

Chippewa County CWD sampling options

_ Cornell Ranger Station, 117 S. Riverside Drive, self-service kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Cadott Lion’s Club Pavilion, Hwy 27 and Mariner Drive, self-service kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Shadick’s C-Store, 18928 Hwy 40, Bloomer, self-service kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Jacobson’s Ace Hardware, 17168 Hwy J, Chippewa Falls, self-service kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Gilman Corner Store, 120 Main Street, store open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., selfservice kiosk open 24 hours.

_ Animals Taxidermy, 5527 171st Street, Chippewa Falls, by appointment only.