Deer Sample Collection Stations

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Deer Sample Collection Stations

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has established Deer Sample Collection Stations at several locations across the state. At these locations, hunters may submit the heads of their legally harvested and telechecked deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing and aging.

Since 2002, the department has CWD-tested now more than 39,000 deer and​ elk for CWD from every county in the state. Hunters harvested most of those animals. Each county has been represented by multiple deer samples being tested. In addition, CWD Results can be reviewed at app.fw.ky.gov/cwdlookup.

CWD has not been found in the State of Kentucky. To see which states have confirmed CWD in deer or elk, check out the US Geological Survey’s CWD Map.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife coordinated with local, state and federal agency partners to establish the first 16 Deer Sample Collection Stations in Bell, Breckinridge, Franklin, Fulton, Grant, Hickman, Knox, Leslie, Marshall, McCracken, Metcalfe, Nicholas, Rowan Simpson, Warren, and Woodford counties.

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The Deer Sample Collection Stations are strategically located to enhance sample collection in areas receiving fewer samples previously, or areas identified as high-risk because of th​eir proximity to confirmed CWD cases in neighboring states.

There is no cost to hunters for submitting the head of a legally harvested and telechecked deer at a Deer Sample Collection Station.

Lab testing and age determination may take up to 10 weeks. Results will be available to hunters via this webpage. If a hunter-submitted sample tests positive for CWD, the department will notify the hunter.

Hunters who intend to submit a deer head for testing and age determination should:

• Remove any antlers, if present, and preserve the head with at least 4 inches of the neck attached.
• Place the head in a garbage bag and seal the open end with a knot. Garbage bags will be available at each location.
• Fill out a biological sample tag. Hunters must provide their name, phone number, email address, telecheck confirmation number, county of harvest, indicate if the deer was male or female and if the deer was harvested on public land.
• The top portion of the tag should be attached to the garbage bag. Zip ties will be provided at each location. Hunters should keep the bottom portion of the completed tag for their records.
  • Use the sample ID on the bottom portion of the tag to look up results using the following link: ​ Chronic Wasting Disease Lookup App.
• Place the bag containing the sample into the freezer.
  

Step-by-step instructions will be posted at each location.​

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