Hardin County Records First Case of CWD

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife reminds white-tailed deer hunters in the Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance area of Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties that sampling is mandatory for all deer harvested during the upcoming seven-day gun season, which began today (Monday, Nov. 27) and runs to this Sunday, Dec. 3.

The Division of Wildlife confirmed that six deer in the disease surveillance area have tested positive for CWD since the summer of 2023, including one in Hardin County, the county’s first. Since the fall of 2020, 28 wild deer have tested positive for CWD: 21 in Wyandot County, six in Marion County, and one in Hardin County. A disease surveillance area in those three counties remains in effect. A sample was recently discovered in Allen County that requires additional testing.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and other similar species, including mule deer, elk, and moose. No evidence exists that CWD can spread to humans, pets, or livestock.

Within Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties, hunters are required to submit deer harvested during the seven-day gun season, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, for testing. Successful hunters are not required to surrender their deer. Those with questions about having their deer sampled can call (419) 429-8322.

Staffed sampling locations are available during the weeklong gun season at the following locations:

Big Island Wildlife Area Headquarters, 5389 Larue-Prospect Rd West, New Bloomington, 43341
Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area Headquarters, 19100 County Hwy 115, Harpster, 43323
Wyandot County Fairgrounds, 10171 OH 52, Upper Sandusky, 43351
Rural King, 233 American Blvd, Marion, 43302
Hardin County Fairgrounds, 14134 County Rd 140, Kenton, 43326
McGuffey Conservation Club, 6950 Township Rd 55, Ada, 54810

Self-serve kiosks are available for mandatory sample submission during the gun season and for voluntary sample submission until the close of the deer archery season on Feb. 4, 2024. Sampling locations can be found at ohiodnr.gov/cwd. Outside of the disease surveillance area, hunters can have harvested deer tested by the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory which can be reached at (614) 728-6220.

In addition to mandatory testing, the following regulations apply within the disease surveillance area:
The placement of or use of bait (salt, minerals, or any food) to attract or feed deer, as well as the hunting of deer by the aid of bait, is prohibited. Normal agricultural activities, including feeding domestic animals, as well as hunting deer over food plots, naturally occurring or cultivated plants, and agriculture crops, are not prohibited.

The removal of a complete carcass or high-risk parts from the disease surveillance area is prohibited unless the carcass complies with deer carcass regulations, or the carcass is delivered to a certified taxidermist or processor within 24 hours of leaving the area. Additional information on carcass regulations and a complete list of certified processors and taxidermists can be found at ohiodnr.gov/cwd.

The proper handling of carcasses, trims, and parts dramatically decreases the risk of spreading disease. Hunters should properly dispose of deer carcasses by double-bagging all high-risk parts (brain, spinal cord, eyes, and lymphoid tissue) and setting them out with their household garbage for trash pickup, when permitted by waste disposal facilities. Those without trash pickup can double-bag the carcass and take it to a municipal solid waste landfill or bury the carcass at least 3 feet deep on the property of harvest. The Division of Wildlife provides receptacles in the disease surveillance area for proper carcass disposal.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife has conducted routine surveillance for CWD since 2002, with more than 39,000 deer tested. CWD has been detected in 31 states and four Canadian provinces.