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With white-tailed deer becoming more active as fall arrives, increasing the chances of deer-vehicle collisions, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public that no roadkill possession permits will be issued in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management zone in southeastern Minnesota. Normally, when a driver accidentally kills a deer, a local law enforcement officer can issue a roadkill permit for purposes of salvaging the meat.
The CWD management zone was established early this year after a white-tailed deer taken by a hunter last November near a captive elk farm outside of Pine Island tested positive for CWD, a fatal brain disease that can affect deer, moose and elk. The zone includes southeast Goodhue County, southwest Wabasha County, northwest Olmsted County and northeast Dodge County.
There is no evidence CWD can be transmitted to humans. The roadkill permit ban is being imposed to minimize chances of the disease being spread outside the zone by transport of carcasses.
Earlier this year, as part of its CWD response plan, DNR implemented a culling operation on the deer herd in the zone and tested nearly 1,200 animals taken by sharpshooters and landowners under special permits. None tested positive. Using liberalized bag limits and mandated CWD testing for any deer harvested in the special management zone (Deer Permit Area 602), DNR will continue to monitor for any further evidence of the disease.
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