The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is asking white-tailed deer hunters in portions of Wyandot, Marion, and Hardin counties to submit samples of harvested deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing. Testing is voluntary but highly encouraged. 

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer populations. A CWD-positive wild Ohio white-tailed deer was recently identified in Wyandot County.

The Division of Wildlife will implement its CWD response plan, which includes enhanced surveillance in 15 townships in the surrounding area, to monitor for the disease.

Additional testing will be available for those who take a deer during the weekend gun season, Dec. 19-20, the muzzleloader season, Jan. 2-5, 2021, and all remaining controlled hunts on Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area.

Hunters in the following townships are asked to submit deer for CWD testing free of charge.

Hardin County
Goshen Township

Wyandot County
Antrim, Crane, Eden, Jackson, Mifflin, Marseilles, Pitt, Richland, and Salem townships

Marion County
Big Island, Grand, Grand Prairie, Montgomery, and Salt Rock townships

Harvested deer can be taken to the Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area Headquarters, located at 19100 County Highway 115, Harpster 43323. Wildlife professionals will be on-site to sample deer from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Questions can be directed to 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).