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Shoot for Samples Giveaway

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Calling All Deer Hunters!

Get ready for the Shoot for Samples Giveaway!

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is excited to launch the Shoot for Samples Giveaway, running from September 6, 2025 until January 19, 2026. We're rallying deer hunters to help us monitor Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). By submitting samples for CWD testing, you're playing a vital role in safeguarding Kentucky's deer and elk herds. Join us in making a difference while you hunt!

How to Participate

1. Submit Samples

Hunters can submit samples through the following methods from September 6, 2025 until January 19, 2026:

CWD Sample Drop-off Sites: Bring the head of your legally harvested and telechecked buck or doe to one of our designated CWD Sample Drop-off sites. Follow the instructions for proper drop-off procedures. Click here for a list of drop-off locations.

CWD Sample Mail-in Kits: Simply collect lymph node samples from your legally harvested and telechecked deer and send them to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife using a CWD Sample Mail-in Kits. Click here to sign up for a kit and find a pick-up location near you.

2. Enter to Win

For each deer head dropped off or lymph nodes submitted, you'll receive an entry into the giveaway—each entry counts as one chance to win! Hunters must abide by all bag limits.

3. Win Prizes

Prizes range from giftcards to gear.

Winners will be randomly drawn and contacted at the end of deer season by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff.

Giveaway Rules & Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility: The giveaway is open to hunters of all ages, both Kentucky residents and non-residents. To be eligible for the giveaway, all samples must be submitted between September 6, 2025 - January 19, 2026.

Hunters Using CWD Sample Drop-off Sites

Hunters can enter the giveaway as many times as bag limits allow by dropping off deer heads at any CWD Sample Drop-off site from September 6, 2025 until January 19, 2026.
All deer must be legally harvested and telechecked prior to drop-off.
Each deer head dropped off will count as one entry.
Participants must follow all on-site instructions for proper drop-off procedures, and submissions must include a completed biological sample tag (available at drop-off sites) to be eligible.
All biological sample tags must include a harvest location. Accepted harvest location information includes the Know Before You Go grid square number, address, or GPS coordinates. Harvest location data helps Kentucky Fish and Wildlife identify where healthy deer are located and monitor population density. Harvest location information will be kept confidential. Submissions without a harvest location included will be disqualified.
No cost for CWD testing: There will be no cost to hunters for CWD testing of the heads submitted.

Hunters Using Mail-in Kits

All mail-in kit submissions must be received by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife by January 19, 2026, to qualify for the giveaway.
All deer must be legally harvested and telechecked.
All biological sample tags must include a harvest location. Accepted harvest location information includes the Know Before You Go grid square number, address, or GPS coordinates. Harvest location data helps Kentucky Fish and Wildlife identify where healthy deer are located and monitor population density. Harvest location information will be kept confidential. Submissions without a harvest location included will be disqualified.
No Cost for CWD Testing: There will be no cost for CWD testing of the samples submitted through the mail-in kits.
No Cost for Return Shipping: The cost of return shipping is free for hunters.

CWD Surveillance Zone Restrictions

Hunters who harvest deer in the CWD Surveillance Zone (Ballard, Breckinridge, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Marshall, McCracken, Meade, Union, and Webster counties) must use CWD Sample Drop-off sites within the established Surveillance Zone.
Deer from a CWD Surveillance Zone cannot be transported out of the zone due to carcass transportation restrictions. Deer harvested from outside a CWD Surveillance Zone can be transported into the zone.
CWD Sample Mail-in Kits cannot be used to for mandatory sampling in any CWD Surveillance Zone county on Sept. 27-28 (anterless season), or in Henderson, Union, and Webster counties on Nov. 8-10. During these dates, hunters must use CWD Sample Drop-off sites to both meet mandatory sampling requirements and be entered into the giveaway. Outside of these dates, hunters in CWD Surveillance Zone counties can use CWD Sample Mail-in Kits and still qualify for the giveaway.

Harvested Deer Restrictions

All deer heads and lymph node samples must be harvested in Kentucky.
Hunters must abide by all bag limits.
Whole carcasses or high-risk parts (head, skull cap, skull with any brain material, or spine) of any deer, elk, moose, or caribou harvested outside of Kentucky cannot be brought into the state.

Prizes

The giveaway is sponsored by a designated orgization or business. The sponsor for is responsible for the total value of the prize awarded to the winner.
Hunters have the right to decline any prizes awarded through the giveaway. If a prize is declined, an alternative winner will be selected.

Additional Provisions

Notification of Winners: Winners will be notified via the contact information provided on the biological sample tag completed during the sample submission process. If a winner does not respond within 14 days, an alternate winner will be selected.
Publicity Release: By participating, winners agree to allow Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to use their name and likeness for promotional purposes without additional compensation.
Changes to Rules: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife reserves the right to modify these rules at any time, including extending the entry period or changing eligibility criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to get my buck mounted. Can I still get the harvest tested for CWD and be entered into the giveaway? Yes. If a hunter is planning on mounting their buck, they will need to ask their taxidermist to save the caped-out head to submit at a Drop-off site. This ensures the sample qualifies for both CWD testing and giveaway entry.

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Shoot for Samples Giveaway

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How to Participate

Giveaway Rules & Frequently Asked Questions

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Calling All Deer Hunters!