Kent County Deer Hunters Have New CWD Testing Option

Hunters in Kent County and nearby areas are encouraged to test their deer for CWD, with Kent County now offering a drop-off option through the Michigan DNR.

How the DNR Tests Michigan Deer for Chronic Wasting Disease

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Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, contagious disease that affects the brain and nervous system of white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family, including mule deer, elk and moose. It is caused by abnormal proteins called prions that damage the brain and other nervous system tissues.

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Michigan DNR officials monitor CWD by testing harvested deer in selected groups of counties each year. Hunters can help by submitting an intact deer head or using a self-sampling kit to collect and ship lymph nodes for testing.

Read More: Michigan DNR Urges Hunters to Test Deer for CWD

Samples are sent to the Michigan DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory or Michigan State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. Laboratory staff examine lymph node tissue for signs of CWD. Hunters can check their results online and will be contacted directly if their deer tests positive.

Drop Box Provides Easy Access to CWD Testing for Deer

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Hunters in Kent County can use designated drop boxes to submit deer heads or lymph node samples for CWD testing. The samples are then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

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According to FOX 17, hunters can drop off deer heads for CWD testing at four drop box locations serving five counties.

• Haymarsh Hunt Club - 11959 Jefferson Road, Morley
• Kent County Road Commission - 1900 4 Mile Road, Walker
• Paris DNR Field Office - 22250 Northland Drive, Paris
• Flat River DNR Field Office - 6650 Long Lake Road, Belding

Hunters who prefer to have their deer checked in person can visit the Paris or Flat River locations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates, according to the published schedule:

• Mondays, Oct. 19 and 26
• Mondays, Nov. 2, 9 and 16
• Thursday, Nov. 19
• Saturday, Nov. 21
• Mondays, Nov. 23 and 30
• Mondays, Dec 7, 14 and 21

Hunters are encouraged to get their deer tested to help the DNR monitor CWD and protect Michigan's deer population.

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