Deer check stations for chronic wasting disease

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources needs your cooperation.

Hunters will play an important role in chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance happening this year at Utah Division of Wildlife Resources check stations. During the first few days of the rifle hunt, we will be collecting deer tissue samples at a number of check stations across the state. Successful hunters who have harvested deer from this season's CWD sampling areas may bring tissue samples to be tested for CWD free of charge. Hunters who wish to test deer harvested from other units may send the deer's head to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Logan or Spanish Fork and pay a $25 lab fee.

When you stop at a check station, agency staff will:

• Take lymph nodes from your deer (you will need to leave about 6 inches of the animal's neck and windpipe attached below the jaw so that we can remove the lymph nodes for the sample)
• Ask you a few questions, including the location where the deer was harvested

The entire process will take a few minutes, and your cooperation will help us monitor the disease and study its impact on the state's deer herds. Testing results will be available for you to view online within six weeks of sampling.

Chronic wasting disease — a degenerative neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose — was first detected in Utah in 2002. As of Sept. 28, 2022, 157 mule deer and three elk have tested positive for CWD. Learn more about the disease and where it has been found in Utah.

Although there isn't proof that CWD poses a risk for human health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend the consumption of animals that test positive for CWD. If your deer tests positive for CWD, the Division will replace your hunting tag (for the same unit) for free next year, as long as all materials (meat, antlers, bones, etc.) are handed in for incineration.

Check station locations

You can get your deer checked at the following locations during the hunting season:

Northern Utah

Tests are free for deer harvested from the Morgan-South Rich, East Canyon, Chalk Creek, Kamas and North Slope units. Call the DWR Ogden Office at 801-476-2740 for more information.

Northeastern Utah

Tests are free for deer harvested from the North Slope; South Slope, Yellowstone; South Slope, Vernal; South Slope, Diamond Mtn.; Book Cliffs, North; and Nine Mile, Anthro units. Call the DWR Vernal office at 435-781-9453 for more information. You may also call the DWR Vernal office for a list of meat processors in the area that will also take CWD samples, along with processing the meat.

Central Utah

Tests are free for deer harvested from the Wasatch, West unit. Call the DWR Springville office at 801-491-5678 for more information. You may also call the DWR Springville office for a list of meat processors in the area that will also take CWD samples, along with processing the meat.

Southeastern Utah

Nine Mile

La Sal Mountains

Abajo Mountains

Tests are free for deer harvested from the Nine Mile, La Sal-La Sal Mountains, and San Juan-Abajo Mountains units. Call the DWR Price office at 435-613-3700 for more information. You may also call the DWR Price office for a list of meat processors in the area that will also take CWD samples, along with processing the meat.

Southern Utah

Tests are free for deer harvested from the Panguitch Lake, Paunsaugunt, Zion and Pine Valley units. Call the DWR Cedar City office at 435-865-6100 for more information. You may also call the DWR Cedar City office for a list of meat processors in the area that will also take CWD samples, along with processing the meat.

Additional options

We will periodically have personnel available during the first few days of the hunt, or you can drop off a head during the season at one of the following meat lockers:

• Ungerman's Meats at 790 N. 400 East in Huntington
• JC Meats at 3540 S. Highway 6 in Price
• Four-Point Meat Processing at 81 W. 200 South in Monticello

If you have questions, please contact a Division office.

West Nile virus bird identification

Below are common species affected by West Nile virus. The Division of Wildlife Resources is no longer collecting these birds for West Nile virus testing. However, if you live within Salt Lake County, the Salt Lake County Health Department is conducting a special study and might collect your bird for testing. You may contact them at (801 534-4600.

Birds of the corvid family

	Common Raven Corvus corax Identification tips: Length: 24" Wingspan: 53" Weight: 2.6 lb Entirely black plumage Long narrow wings, wedged shaped tail, heavy bill Larger than the American Crow and not as gregarious
	American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Identification tips: Length: 16–18" Wingspan: 39" Weight: 1lb Entirely black plumage Squared-off tail Short tail, broad wings
	Black-billed Magpie Pica pica Identification tips: Length: 19" Wingspan: 25" Weight: 6 oz. Color: White and black Plumage often appears iridescent White patches on wings in flight
	Western scrub jay Aphelocoma californica Identification tips: Length: 11–13" Crestless jay usually associated with oaks Color: Head, wings and tail are blue. Back is pale brownish; white throat.
	Stellar's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Identification tips: Length: 12–13" A large, dark, black and blue bird Long crest Foreparts blackish, rest of body blue

Raptors (Hawks, Eagles and Falcons)

Raptors typically have a strong hooked beak and long curved talons. All raptors are wanted for WNV testing. Some examples are listed below.

	Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Identification tips: Length: 19–25" Distinctive red coloration on topside of tail Light colored breast with streaked belly
	Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Identification tips: Length: 20–26" Large robust hawk with longish tail Adult: Crown and cheek blackish with broad white stripe over the eye. Immature (shown): Pale stripe over the eye; irregular tail-banding
	Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Identification tips: Length: 30–40" Wingspan: 7 ft. Glides and soars flat winged A gold band of feathers on the back of neck