DEC Requests Public Assistance to Prevent Chronic Wasting Disease in New York State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today requested the public’s ongoing assistance in Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance this hunting season. In fall 2024, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) confirmed the presence of CWD, a fatal disease affecting deer and moose, at a captive deer facility in the town of Columbia, Herkimer County. After confirming the case, DEC sampled 196 wild deer in the surrounding area and found no sign of the disease.

During the 2025 hunting season, DEC will intensively sample deer for CWD in the towns of Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren, and Winfield in Herkimer County and the town of Richfield in Otsego County. Hunters can bring their deer heads harvested from these six towns to one of the eight drop off locations for free testing. Taxidermists can also collect samples from deer intended for mounting. DEC will test all deer at no cost to hunters and immediately notify hunters if a test result is positive for CWD.

Deer Head Drop-Off Bin Locations: 

1. Town Of Columbia - 936 Jordanville Road, Ilion (To the left of the salt barn)
2. Town Of Columbia - 147 County Route 259, Ilion (At the DOT buildings)
3. Town of Litchfield - 804 Cedarville Road, Ilion (On the southern end of the salt barn)
4. Town of Warren - 131 Hyde-Bell Lane, Jordanville (At the DOT buildings)
5. Town of German Flatts - 85 East Main Street, Mohawk (Behind the YMCA)
6. Town of German Flatts - 106 West Main Street, Mohawk (Herkimer County Sewer District Buildings)
7. Town of Richfield - 1545 County Route 25, Richfield Springs (Boss Farm)
8. Town of Winfield - 306 Stone Road, West Winfield (Across the road in the turnaround)

Deer Head Drop-Off Instructions: 

1. Cut the deer head off with some neck remaining;
2. Keep the head chilled or frozen until submission to DEC;
3. Remove the skull plate and antlers on bucks before submission;
4. Place the head in a plastic garbage bag;
5. Label the bag with your name, address, and phone number and complete the DEC tag at the drop-off location;
6. Place the DEC tag in the small bag provided and place in the garbage bag with the head; and
7. Zip tie the bag closed and deposit the bagged head in the white metal container at one of the drop-off locations above.

DEC urges hunters and taxidermists to help protect New York’s wild deer and moose populations from CWD. Submit your deer head and encourage others to do the same. 

Hunters and partners play a vital role in keeping New York’s wild deer herd free of CWD. DEC continues to work with the public to monitor deer health and prevent the disease from spreading. For details on CWD, DEC’s 2024 incident response, and ongoing surveillance plans, visit the Chronic Wasting Disease webpage.