It’s fall which means many are preparing for the deer hunt. As you do so, the Division of Wildlife Resources has an important reminder: it’s important to check harvested deer for chronic wasting disease at a designated DWR check station. Chronic wasting disease was first discovered in Utah in 2002 in a buck deer taken during the rifle hunt near Vernal. It is a transmissible disease that affects the nervous systems of deer, elk and moose. Infected animals develop brain lesions, become emaciated, appear listless, have droopy ears, may salivate excessively, and will eventually die. Deer in the early stages of chronic wasting disease appear healthy — including animals that may be harvested by hunters — so the only way to know if your deer is infected is to get it tested. Check stations in the area you are hunting and the dates they will be open can be found on wildlife.utah.gov. In Northeastern Utah, the DWR Vernal Office will be testing October 20th through the 24th by appointment only and there will be a check station near Strawberry Reservoir from October 18th through the 20th. Call the DWR Vernal Office at 435-781-9453 for more information.
