What Minnesota Deer Hunters Must Know About New Mandatory CWD Testing

Back in July, we took a look at the big regulation changes hitting Minnesota hunters this fall.

The list covered a lot of ground: the end of the statewide shotgun zone, waterfowl rules folded into the main booklet, a brand-new licensing system, and a new approach to testing deer for chronic wasting disease.

Now, with firearms deer opener less than four weeks away, that last change is about to get very real for a lot of hunters.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters in southwest Minnesota that CWD sampling is mandatory during opening weekend, Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8. Every deer harvested that's a year old or older has to be tested.

"We want to get the word out to hunters about our change in strategy for CWD surveillance this fall," said Patrick Hagen, DNR wildlife disease response coordinator. "This will be a change for a lot of hunters in the southwest."

Why Minnesota Is Rotating Its CWD Testing

Historically, the DNR focused its sampling near areas where the disease was already known to exist. That approach worked for tracking spread in those hot spots. However, nearly two-thirds of the state hasn't seen a targeted surveillance effort in more than 20 years.

So the state has been carved into four blocks, each roughly a quarter of Minnesota, with one block taking its turn every year.

Southwest Minnesota goes first in 2026, followed by the northwest in 2027, the northeast in 2028, and the southeast in 2029.

"The rotational sampling will give us a more complete picture of where CWD exists in Minnesota," Hagen said, adding that recent detections outside current management zones prompted the broader approach.

Preparing For Mandatory CWD Testing

If you're hunting in the southwest block this year, you have a few options to get your deer sampled on opening weekend:

• You can stop by a staffed or self-service sampling station.
• You can pick up a free mail-in sampling kit before opener.
• You can visit one of the taxidermists or deer processors taking part in the CWD Partner Sampling Program.

One important detail if you plan on going the mail-in route: you'll need to request a fresh shipping label after you harvest your deer.

The DNR says this cuts down on lost samples caused by expired labels, which is the kind of paperwork headache nobody wants after a long, cold morning in the stand. Once your sample is in, you can check your test results online.

Testing Is Free Everywhere Else, Too

Even if you're nowhere near the southwest, hunters statewide can still have their deer tested for free during any season. That includes mail-in kits, the Partner Sampling Program, and appointments at DNR wildlife offices.

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Hunters in deer permit area 236, north of Stillwater, also have extra self-service stations available after a CWD-positive wild deer was discovered near the city. The DNR is collecting additional samples there through all open deer seasons.

Carcass Rules Got Easier

Some good news this year: the old movement restrictions for deer harvested inside a CWD management zone are gone, replaced with a disposal rule. You can now move a carcass in or out of a zone, as long as it ends up with your trash hauler, a local landfill, or a meat processor. Deer taken on private land can be disposed of on site with the landowner's permission.

"The carcass disposal rule will give hunters more flexibility in handling and transporting their deer, while promoting safe disposal methods," Hagen said.

One exception remains: deer harvested outside Minnesota still need to be quartered before coming into the state, so check the import rules if you're hunting across the border in Wisconsin, which has its own CWD reminders this year.

Don't Wait On Your License

Finally, the DNR is urging hunters to buy licenses early. The new electronic license system launched in June is running well, but first-time users may need a little extra time, and some folks with multiple records in the old system will need help from the DNR License Center to merge their history.

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You can buy a license through the app, online, or in person, and it's worth checking the 2026 license agent map to make sure your usual spot is still selling them.

The bottom line is simple. The few minutes you spend preparing now will save you a whole lot of hassle when opening morning comes.

A little homework this month means more time enjoying the woods, and better information about the health of Minnesota's deer herd for every hunter who comes after us.