Arkansas Offers FREE Chronic Wasting Disease Testing for Hunters

URGENT UPDATE: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has just announced FREE testing for chronic wasting disease (CWD) as the regular archery deer hunting season approaches. This initiative is crucial as hunters can play a vital role in tracking and managing this deadly deer disease.

Starting immediately, hunters across Arkansas are encouraged to submit samples from harvested deer at designated testing locations throughout the state. According to AJ Riggs, a wildlife health biologist with AGFC, there are currently 101 freezers set up for sample drop-offs. Riggs emphasizes, “This effort is vital for monitoring CWD and ensuring the health of our deer population.”

Hunters can also benefit from the services of 36 taxidermists statewide who are ready to assist by taking samples from the deer they receive. Should a submitted deer test positive for CWD, hunters will be notified by the commission using the contact information provided at the time of submission. Riggs stated, “We will collect data and make arrangements for the safe disposal of the meat and carcass if necessary.”

To participate, hunters must bring the deer’s head with 4 to 6 inches of neck attached to any of the testing stations. It is important to place the head in one of the provided plastic bags and include your name and contact information on the attached card.

This initiative not only helps protect Arkansas’s deer population but also ensures the safety of hunters and the broader community. The AGFC is committed to maintaining healthy wildlife and will continue to monitor the situation closely as the hunting season progresses.

For more detailed information on testing locations and procedures, visit the AGFC’s official website. It’s crucial for all hunters to take part in this significant public health effort and to ensure that Arkansas remains vigilant against chronic wasting disease.

Stay informed and help protect our wildlife!