• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation

Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation

SASKATCHEWAN WILDLIFE FEDERATION

  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Board of Directors
    • Branch Locations
    • Central Office Staff
    • History
      • Why The Whooper
  • Programs
    • Habitat Trust
      • Adopt an Acre
      • GUNS & ANTLERS FOR HABITAT
      • Wildlife Tomorrow
      • Conservation Easements
    • Fisheries Enhancement Program
      • Submit a Fisheries Project
    • Education
      • Hannin Creek Education & Applied Research Centre
      • Youth Conservation Camp
      • Geocaching
      • Women’s Outdoor Weekend
      • Backyard Biodiversity Challenge Sign Up
      • Wildlife Posters
      • BigFOOT Snowshoe Loan
      • Fish in Schools Program
      • Notice Nature BINGO Card
    • National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)
      • Getting Started in NASP
      • NASP Grant application
      • NASP Tournament Information
    • Awards
      • Henry Kelsey Big Game Records
      • Provincial Angling Awards
      • Cody Strass Memorial Trophy Trout Award
      • Conservation Awards
      • Dennis Pattinson Memorial Scholarship
  • News & Events
    • 4th Annual Advancing Women in Conservation
    • Calendar of Events
      • Submit Your Event
    • Branch Month-End Mail
    • News
    • 97th Annual Convention
    • Social Media
  • Resources
    • for HUNTERS
      • Land Access – Permission
    • For ANGLERS
      • Saskatchewan Master Angler Program
      • Saskatchewan Angling Registry
    • for MEMBERS/BRANCHES
    • HABISask
    • for PARENTS & TEACHERS
    • For Conservation
    • Firearms
  • Store
  • Contact Us
    • Land Access – Permission
  • Membership
  • Donate

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a serious issue affecting Saskatchewan’s wild deer, elk and moose populations.  This fatal deer version of “mad cow disease” emerged in a research facility in Colorado in the 1960s.  Over the next decades, schemes to exploit ‘captive wildlife’ for profit were legalized.  Deer and elk—and their diseases—were transported across the continent.  CWD eventually spread from captive herds in game farms to wild populations.

Hunters anywhere in the province are able to test deer, elk, moose and caribou for CWD in order to help provide critical information on the presence and distribution of the disease in these species. The Ministry of Environment offers free voluntary CWD testing for all hunters. Fresh or frozen heads can be dropped off at select Ministry of Environment field offices, Parks offices or self-service drop-off locations, with results available in roughly six weeks.

Please note: larger moose and elk heads should be dropped off at designated Ministry of Environment field offices and select Parks offices.

What can hunters do:

  • Get your deer, moose, elk or caribou tested.
  • Avoid long-distance movements with your deer carcass.
  • All transported carcass waste should be double-bagged and taken to a permitted landfill.
  • Handle and dispose of your carcass in a responsible manner.
  • If you hunt out of province, only bring back low-risk parts (deboned meat, cleaned skull plate, antlers, finished taxidermy mount).
  • Stay up to date on the latest hunting regulations.
  • Keep hunting and support ongoing efforts to control the disease by submitting heads for testing in ministry target areas.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Click here for an instructional video on removing samples from your deer for CWD testing.
  • The feature length documentary “No Accident” will investigate the causes and the effects of the lethal CWD epidemic in North America.  For more information about the film, go to www.noaccidentfilm.com.
  • Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment – CWD information page.

 

 

 

 

 

Footer

ABOUT US

  • Who We Are
  • History
  • Board of Directors
  • Central Office Staff
  • Branches

PROGRAMS

  • Habitat Trust
  • Fisheries Enhancement Program
  • Education
  • National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)

PARTNERSHIPS

  • Hannin Creek Education Facility
  • Fish & Wildlife Development Fund Lands

CONTACT US

  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2025 Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. All Rights Reserved. Login
Website by OmniOnline
Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!