Description: This program enables Wisconsin deer hunters to have their deer screened for CWD by directly submitting their deer head to the WVDL. This program provides a means for testing in cases where the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is unable to carry out surveillance testing under their program.

The WVDL is a United States Department of Agriculture-inspected and approved facility for CWD testing, and is a fully accredited member of the American Association of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories.

Frequently-Asked Questions

1. Who can take part in this program?
Answer: This program is available for anyone hunting within the borders of Wisconsin.

2. What is the cost?
Answer: $50.

3. What is included in the $50 fee?
Answer:
a. Removal of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes from the deer head for CWD testing. (These are the preferred tissues for testing White-Tailed deer.)
b. Testing the lymph node(s) for CWD.
c. Disposal of the deer head.
d. Reporting the results of testing to the hunter.

4. How do I submit the deer head for testing?
Answer:
a. Cut or saw the head from the carcass; leave the throat area of the neck attached to the head.
b. Bring the double or triple plastic-bagged head to the WVDL on the UW Madison campus. Directions and business hours
c. The head must be accompanied by a completed submission form.
d. The head and submission form must be accompanied by a personal check for $50. Cash is fine but must be in the exact amount.

NOTE: Leaking specimens will not be accepted.

5. Can I ship the head to the lab for testing, rather than bringing it in person?
Answer: Contact the prospective shipper directly to determine what their requirements and restrictions are. If you do ship, be sure to include cold packs, use next-day delivery (not available for Saturday or Sunday), and include the completed submission form and fee in a zip-lock plastic bag.

6. Should I keep the head chilled at refrigerator temperature (35-40 F) until I can bring it to the lab?
Answer: Yes.

7. How long will it keep at refrigerator temperature?
Answer: A few days, usually 3-5. Samples which have degraded beyond the ability for us to test them will be discarded. ($25 of the $50 fee will be refunded.)

8. Is freezing ok?
Answer: Preferably not. Freezing may create some problems in the testing process and we cannot promise that a test result will be available if the sample has been frozen.

9. I want the head and antlers for mounting. Can you remove the sample while I wait and then give me the head?
Answer: No. All heads will be destroyed by alkaline hydrolysis after the sample has been removed. You may saw the antlers off prior to submitting the head for testing.

10. My deer was shot in the head. Can it be tested?
Answer: The only way to find out is to submit the head for testing. If it is too damaged and cannot be tested, $25 of the $50 fee will be refunded.

11. I think I can remove the retropharyngeal lymph nodes myself. Can I just send those, rather than the entire head?
Answer: If you do this, it is at your own risk. If incorrect lymph nodes or other tissue is submitted the CWD test result may be invalid.

An alternative is to have a veterinarian in your area remove the lymph nodes. A list of veterinarians who have agreed to do this for a fee can be found at the WDNR website www.dnr.state.wi.us

12. How will I be notified of the results?
Answer: Letter by U.S. Mail.

13. How soon can I expect results?
Answer: Two to three weeks after receipt of the head at the WVDL. Turn around time may vary depending upon the volume of sample submissions.

14. Are the test results confidential?
Answer: No, the information is forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in order to assist the Wisconsin surveillance effort.

15. My deer is from a game farm. Will you test it?
Answer: No, this program is only for wild deer. Deer from game farms have separate regulatory test requirements.

16. Does a negative test result mean that my venison is safe to eat?
Answer: This is not a food safety test. Failure to find abnormal prions in the tissue examined is NOT equivalent to pronouncing this deer absolutely free of CWD prions or safe to consume. All laboratory tests for CWD only assess the presence or absence of prions in the specific tissue examined, at the time the tissue was collected, and at a level detectable by the assay being used.

17. Where can I find more information about CWD?
Answer: WDNR website: www.dnr.state.wi.us