Hunters can assist CWD monitoring efforts

Hunters can once again assist the Arizona Game and Fish Department's surveillance efforts for chronic wasting disease (CWD) this hunting season by submitting the heads of their deer or elk for testing. The department's goal is to test 1,600 heads this season.

CWD is a neurological disease that is fatal to deer and elk. There is no scientific evidence to show it affects humans. Although the disease has not yet been found in Arizona, it has been detected in three bordering states: Colorado, Utah and New Mexico.

"Over the last several years the Arizona Game and Fish Department has been aggressively monitoring for CWD in our state," says Lisa Shender, the department's wildlife disease specialist. "The assistance of hunters has been invaluable in enabling us to obtain and test samples."

Hunters can bring the head of their recently harvested deer or elk to any Game and Fish Department office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Place the head in a plastic garbage bag for delivery, and keep it cool and out of the sun if possible.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will also be collecting CWD samples at several check stations in different parts of the state:

Northern Arizona

The Jacob Lake check station on the North Kaibab will collect CWD samples Oct. 27-29, Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12.

A check station in the Round Valley-Eagar area in northeastern Arizona will collect CWD samples at the junction of Highway 260 and Main Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11-12.

Southern Arizona

A check station near Three Points, southwest of Tucson, will collect samples from noon until dark on Oct. 27 and all day Oct. 28-29, and from noon until dark on Nov. 3 and all day Nov. 4-5.

Check stations will collect CWD samples near Bonita (north of Willcox, near the Pinaleno Mountains) and Sunsites (south of Willcox, near the Dragoon Mountains) from 8 a.m. until dark Oct. 28-29.

Check stations will collect CWD samples in two areas in southwestern Arizona. One will be north of Yuma on Highway 95 by the "big guns" at the Yuma Proving Ground. The other will be at the southern end of the Clanton Well Road by Whitewing Ranch in Game Management Unit 41.

The department will also collect deer heads at the juniors camp in Unit 20C during the junior deer hunt, Nov. 17-26.

To better assist the surveillance efforts, you will be asked to fill out a form when you drop off your deer or elk head. Please include the following information: county and game management unit in which the animal was harvested, hunt and permit number, and an address and phone number where you can be reached. Note: If this information is not provided, the department will be unable to test the sample.

You will be notified of CWD test results by postcard within six to eight weeks. There is no charge to you for the testing and notification.

Although no evidence exists of CWD affecting humans, hunters are advised to avoid harvesting any animal that appears sick, and avoid consuming or handling any brain or spinal tissue.

Hunters are also asked to be observant in the field. If you see a deer or elk displaying symptoms of CWD, such as emaciation, stumbling gait, drooping ears, rough hair condition, visible salivation, or loss of fear of humans, please contact the Game and Fish Department at (800) 352-0700.

In order to minimize the chance of the disease entering Arizona through the transport of infected animal tissues, hunters are also asked to take precautions when bringing harvested deer or elk into Arizona from another state. For a list of guidelines, or to learn more about CWD, visit azgfd.gov/cwd.