An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife offers CWD Sample Drop-off sites statewide where hunters can drop off the heads of their legally harvested and telechecked deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing and aging at no cost. Test results will be received in 4-6 weeks.
The head with at least 5 inches of neck attached; bucks must have antlers removed. Heads that have been caped or skull capped may be submitted as long as 5 inches of neck are attached.
Each site provides instructions, bags, and tags. Deer parts dropped off at freezers are not returned. Hunters will need to use their own knives or saws.
Retain the tear-off portion of your sample tag for proof that you checked the deer. Test results and age determination typically take 4-6 weeks. Hunters can track their results using the sample ID found on the tag's bottom portion via the Chronic Wasting Disease Lookup App. If a sample tests positive for CWD, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will notify the submitting hunter.
Hunters in a CWD Surveillance Zone who want to drop off a head for CWD testing must use a designated CWD Sample Drop-off site within the Surveillance Zone due to carcass transportation restrictions.
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Hunters who intend to submit a deer head for testing and age determination should:
Step-by-step instructions will also be posted at each location.