Minnesota continues fight against Chronic Wasting Disease

DNR to host special hunt in affected areas

Minn. (WKBT) — Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources will increase its efforts to halt the spread of a deadly brain disease in the state’s deer population.

The third deer with Chronic Wasting Disease this year was discovered near Lanesboro during November’s gun-deer hunt.

That area is already designated as a disease management zone by the DNR. An additional zone for farmed deer and elk will begin though, including the location of the latest case and everything within ten miles.

DNR researchers say it’s best to be ahead of the disease.

“At some point it impacts deer population. It won’t be this year, probably won’t be next year, but it’s a generational thing so I think there’s no doubt that Wisconsin, much like the western states, have seen that this disease is going to in the long-term affect deer population, and we’re hoping that if we did indeed have an early detection that we’re able to not be in that situation,” said Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife Research Manager Lou Cornicelli.

The Minnesota DNR is also hosting a special hunt at the end of the month to reduce the deer population in affected areas. The hunt begins this Saturday and goes through January 15.

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