Michigan Urges, Minnesota Plans 2026 CWD Testing

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources is asking deer hunters in Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm and Newaygo counties to submit harvested deer for chronic wasting disease testing during the 2026 season. The effort updates intensive sampling last conducted in the counties in 2019 and will help officials assess disease prevalence before considering management options. In Minnesota, CWD testing will be mandatory for deer at least a year old harvested in the southwest surveillance block during firearms season opening weekend, Nov. 7-8, 2026. The requirement is part of a four-year statewide rotation intended to broaden surveillance after detections outside existing management zones; the northwest, northeast and southeast blocks are scheduled for 2027, 2028 and 2029, respectively.