Milwaukee, Wis.– CWD surveillance in Racine and Kenosha counties will continue this fall and winter in Racine and Kenosha counties to boost the sample size in an effort to reach a 99% confidence level that CWD is not present in the area.
Marty Johnson, local wildlife manager with the Department of Natural Resources, explained that last year the collection effort fell short of the samples needed. Low hunter participation in the area resulted in extremely low number of samples collected.
“At this time we are assuming that CWD is not present in Racine and Kenosha counties, but to verify this we need additional samples,” said Johnson. “Hunters should submit their deer heads even if they are not concerned, so that we can get a clearer picture for the area.” He added, “With the one positive deer found in Walworth County, it is critical that we reach our required sample size to determine if CWD is present in the Racine and Kenosha area.”
This gun season a few changes will be made to deer registration in Racine and Kenosha counties on the opening weekend. To help ensure adequate numbers of samples are collected, the deer registration/head collection stations listed below will be open during opening weekend of the gun deer season, Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday Nov. 23. All other registration stations in Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, and Walworth counties NOT LISTED BELOW will be CLOSED on these two days.
Racine/Kenosha
- Richard Bong Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Rd. south of Kansasville
- Ron’s Service Station, 8226 Big Bend Rd. in Waterford
- Gundy’s Liquor & Sport, 7957 W Wind Lake Rd in Wind Lake
Walworth
- Corners Inn Bar & Grill, W9002 Hwy. 11 north of Delavan
- Walworth County. Sheriff’s Dept., W4054 Highway NN just east of Elkhorn
- Sugar Creek Baits, N7019 Hwy. 12/67 north of Elkhorn
Waukesha
- Kettle Citgo Station, 214 Grove St. in Eagle
- Monches Hilltop Inn, W302 N9510 Hwy. E in Monches
- Oconomowoc Citgo Station, 748 E. Wisconsin Ave. in Oconomowoc
- Wern Valley Sportsmen Club, S36 W39657 Highway D southwest of Waukesha
After the opening weekend of the gun season and through the end of the late archery season, additional collection stations have been added where hunters can register their adult deer and donate the heads for sampling. Hunters in Racine, Kenosha or Walworth Counties can take their deer to one of the following locations. (Note that dates and hours may vary.)
Racine
- Wild Images, 5821 Pine St. in Burlington
Walworth
- Side View Travel Center, 2344 Highway 120 in East Troy
- Arrowsmith, Inc., 2566 Highway 120 in Lake Geneva
- Sugar Creek Baits, N7019 Highway 12/67 north of Elkhorn
- Corners Inn Bar & Grill, W9002 Highway 11 west of Delavan
- Whitewater Marine, N8066 Highway P south of Whitewater
Waukesha
- Monches Hilltop Inn, W302 N9510 Highway E in Monches
- Buck Rub Outfitters, N13 W28400 Silvernail Rd in Pewaukee (Archery seasons ONLY)
- Wern Valley Sportsmen Club, S36 W29657 Highway D southwest of Waukesha
In some cases the station attendants may collect the head during the normal registration process. Otherwise saws, bags and other materials will be available on site to deposit deer heads that meet the following criteria: 1) deer must be harvested in Kenosha, Racine or Walworth Counties; 2) deer must be brought in for testing within 24 hours of harvest; and 3) adult deer only – fawns will not be accepted. Hunters who harvest bucks will be able to take their antlers with skull plates attached. Deer heads may also be collected after being caped out by taxidermists provided they have been kept cool and are brought in within three days.
CWD surveillance in Kenosha, Racine, Walworth and other Southeastern Wisconsin communities will continue through the winter and the DNR plans to collect deer heads throughout the Zone T, gun deer and late bow seasons.
“In addition to help from hunters, citizens are asked to contact their local wildlife biologist or conservation warden about any sick-looking deer they may see so that the deer can be tested for CWD. This includes any adult deer that is very skinny and exhibits abnormal behavior such as little fear of people, disorientation, unsteadiness, or other signs of nervous system disease,” said Jim McNelly, Regional Wildlife Supervisor.
More information on CWD can be found on the Department’s website at: www.dnr.state.wi.us.