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CWD testing

A DNR lab worker removes lymph nodes from a deer head for disease testing.

CWD testing

As a responsible hunter, you understand the importance of monitoring the health of the deer herd for diseases like CWD. Fortunately, options are available to hunters who want to test their deer. We are here to provide the necessary information to help you make an informed decision about CWD testing to keep our deer population healthy and sustainable. Select the free or paid CWD testing tabs for more information regarding those options.

Check my CWD test results

Free CWD testing is only available for...

  1. Deer harvested in counties of focus for deer head collection and testing
  2. Deer harvested in a county eligible for a free self-sample shipping kit

Focused head collection and testing

In 2024, free CWD testing is available for deer harvested from the following counties that are part of focused head collection and testing efforts:

  • Antrim
  • Arenac
  • Baraga
  • Benzie
  • Cheboygan
  • Chippewa
  • Clare
  • Dickinson
  • Gladwin
  • Grand Traverse
  • Houghton
  • Iosco
  • Kalkaska
  • Keweenaw
  • Leelanau
  • Luce
  • Mackinac
  • Manistee
  • Ogemaw
  • Ontonagon
  • Otsego
  • Schoolcraft

Hunters who harvested a deer in the above counties have the following options available for free CWD testing:

  1. DNR drop boxes and staffed sample submission sites

All heads tested for CWD will also be screened for bovine tuberculosis.

Free self-sample shipping kit testing

Free lymph node shipping kits that include free CWD testing are available for hunters who harvested deer in the following counties: Clinton, Eaton, Gogebic, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Iron, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Menominee, Midland and Montcalm. Kits can be picked up from the locations below. Hunters should call the office prior to arriving to ensure someone will be available to assist. 

  • Clinton
    Rose Lake Wildlife Field Office
    8903 Stoll Road
    East Lansing, MI 48823
    517-641-4092
  • Eaton
    Eaton Conservation District
    551 Courthouse Dr, Suite 3
    Charlotte, MI 48813
    517-543-1512 ext. 5
  • Gratiot
    Gratiot Conservation District
    301 Commerce Drive
    Ithaca, MI 48847
    989-875-3900 ext. 5
  • Ingham
    Lansing DNR Customer Service Center
    4166 Legacy Parkway
    Lansing, MI 48911
    517-284-4720
  • Ionia
    Flat River Wildlife Field Office
    6650 Long Lake Road
    Belding, MI 48809
    616-794-2658
  • Ionia
    Ionia Conservation District
    431 Swartz Ct, Suite 300
    Ionia, MI 48846
    616-527-2098 ext. 5
  • Ionia
    Michigan State University Extension Office
    101 W. Main St., 2nd Floor
    Ionia, MI 48846
  • Jackson
    Waterloo Wildlife Field Office
    13578 Seymour Road
    Grass Lake, MI 49240
    517-522-4097
  • Kent
    Kent Conservation District
    3200 Eagle Park Drive NE 100c
    Grand Rapids, MI 49525
    616-222-5846
  • Iron
    Crystal Falls Wildlife Field Office
    1420 Highway US 2 West
    Crystal Falls, MI 49920
    908-875-6622
  • Midland
    Midland Conservation District
    954 E. Isabella Rd.
    Midland MI 48640
    989-486-2325
  • Montcalm
    Montcalm Conservation District
    77 South State St. (M66)
    Stanton, MI 48888
    989-831-4212 ext. 5 
  • Dickinson 
    Escanaba Wildlife Field Office
    6833 Hwy 2, 41 and M-35
    Gladstone, MI 49837
    906-786-2351
  • Dickinson 
    Norway Wildlife Field Office
    520 West US Hwy 2
    Norway, MI 49870
    906-563-9247
  • Results from deer submitted using the free kits will be sent directly to the hunter from the Michigan State University Diagnostic Laboratory. 

    Video: removing deer lymph nodes

    Deer harvested in counties that are not eligible for free CWD testing can be submitted through one of the following participating USDA-approved laboratories for a fee.

    Results from deer submitted to an approved USDA laboratory using testing for a fee will be sent directly to the hunter from the laboratory.

    Video: removing deer lymph nodes