Information for Hunters
- Deer check station and drop box info available at Michigan.gov/DeerCheck
- Avoid long-distance movements with your deer carcass
- Handle and dispose of your deer carcass in a responsible manner
- If you hunt out-of-state, only bring back allowed animal parts
- Stay up-to-date with the latest regulations, especially if hunting in or near CWD areas
- CWD Hunting Regulations »
- Map of CWD Areas »
CWD Testing
In 2020 we need deer heads from southern Jackson, southern Isabella and western Gratiot counties, and from the core CWD surveillance area in the Upper Peninsula (portions of Dickinson, Menominee and Delta counties) for CWD surveillance. Deer harvested in Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent and Montcalm counties can be tested for CWD through the DNR from Nov.15-18 only.
Places to bring your deer head for testing include DNR deer check stations, or a DNR drop box.
Hunters are required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines, staying 6 feet away from other people, at DNR deer check stations. At many check stations, hunters will be required to stay in their vehicles while their deer is checked. This fall, hunters coming in for disease testing are asked to bring only deer heads to check stations, removing them ahead of time, if possible. Those who would like to keep the antlers are asked to please remove those from the head but bring the antlers so that antler measurements can be taken. Also, if submitting a deer head for testing, be ready to give DNR staff the location where your deer was harvested including the county, township, range and section.
If you harvest your deer outside of these areas or time frame but would still like it tested for CWD (for a fee). The Michigan DNR has confirmed two USDA-approved Laboratories willing to accept deer samples directly from hunters. Please use the CWD test instructions and order form from Wisconsin lab for submitting to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is also accepting samples from hunters for CWD testing this season. Hunters wishing to submit samples to MSU should follow these instructions Hunters in DMU 487 who would like a CWD test, please contact a staffed DNR check station. For a list of stations, dates and times visit Michigan.gov/DeerCheck.
Please be aware that test results may require additional processing time this year. Available results will be posted at Michigan.gov/DNRLab. If CWD is found in a submitted deer, the hunter will be notified by phone. If CWD is not found, the test result will be posted online.
- Get your DNR tested results »
- Deer Check Stations »
- CWD Test Instructions and Order Form (Michigan Lab - MSU)
- CWD Test Instructions and Order Form (Wisconsin Lab)
- Statewide Testing Results »
- Cervid CWD Regulations and Testing for North America
Testing Deer For CWD
Removing Lymph Nodes
Carcass Transportation
There are regulations in place that limit the transportation of deer carcasses throughout the Lower Peninsula. Carcasses from areas with CWD should never be disposed of on the landscape in CWD areas. There are no carcass transportation regulations for the Upper Peninsula.
A deer harvested in Montcalm County in its entirety, Otisco, Orleans, Ronald, or North Plains Townships in Ionia County, or Nelson, Spencer, Courtland, Oakfield, Grattan or Cannon Townships in Kent County cannot be possessed or transported outside of those listed areas, unless:
- The harvested deer is deboned meat, quarters or other parts of a cervid that do not have any part of the spinal column or head attached; antlers, antlers attached to a skull or skull cap cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue; hides, upper canine teeth, or a finished taxidermist mount OR;
- The deer carcass is taken directly to a registered processor; AND/OR
- The intact deer head detached from the carcass is taken directly to a licensed taxidermist.
