Hunters encouraged to test deer for CWD in 8 deer management units

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is encouraging hunters in four deer management units to bring their harvest to in-person check stations for chronic wasting disease testing during the upcoming firearm deer season.

Hunters in an additional four units are asked to send in samples from their deer using free mail-in kits.

Deer that already have been Telechecked may still be part of the sample as long as the head and upper neck are still available and can be brought to a Game and Parks’ staffed check stations with the deer’s seal number.

The deer management units where in-person CWD testing will take place are:

• Upper Platte
• Plains
• Pine Ridge
• Sandhills

Check stations for CWD are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m., unless otherwise noted:

• Alliance, Nebraska Game and Parks Alliance District Office, 299 Husker Road, 308-763-2940, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14-22; also 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 23.
• Bridgeport, Legacy COOP, 102 W. Fifth St., 308-262-0827, Nov. 14-15, 21 and 22.
• Crawford, Fort Robinson State Park, Post Playhouse, 3200 W. Highway 20, 308-665-2900, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14-22; also 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 23.
• Harrison, Harrison House Hotel, 115 Main St., 308-665-5199; open Nov. 14 only.
• Hay Springs, Wyatt Family Meats, 4564 590th Road, 308-430-8104, Nov. 14-22.
• Kimball, Sportsman’s Liquor, 111 W. Second St., 308-235-3752; Nov. 14-15 only.
• Lewellen, DP’s Service Station, 506 W. Highway 26, 308-778-5611, Nov. 14-15, 21 and 22.
• Scottsbluff, Essential Fuels, 822 S. Beltline Highway, 308-635-7374, Nov. 14-15, 21 and 22; also open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 23.
• Sidney, Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, 1000 10^th Ave., 308-254-2922; open Nov. 14 only.
• Valentine, Valentine Fish Hatchery, 90164 Hatchery Road, 402-376-2244, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14-22; also 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 23.

Hunters in the Platte, Frenchman, Buffalo and Republican units are encouraged to sample their deer using the free mail-in kit. Hunters in any of the eight units can request one at OutdoorNebraska.gov by searching for “CWD sampling kit.” Hunters also may pick one up at the Nebraska Game and Parks’ offices in Alliance, 299 Husker Road; Kearney, 1617 First Ave.; or North Platte, 301 E. State Farm Road. Samples will be accepted through Jan. 31. 

Learn more about CWD in Nebraska and how to handle deer after harvest at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search for “CWD.”