DOW Opens CWD Drop Off Sites in Burlington Area

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is offering Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) tests for all deer brought to a check station that will be set up on Oct. 30, and Nov. 6 at the Burlington Livestock Exchange parking lot at 46277 U.S. Hwy. 24 at the west end of Burlington. Times for the check station are from 7 a.m until 4 p.m. There will be no fee for CWD testing of animals dropped out at this location on the above dates. The normal charge for CWD testing service provided by the DOW is $15 per animal. Hunters in eastern Colorado also have the opportunity to drop off heads during the week at the Burlington Locker, located at 553 14th St. in Burlington. Hunters should bring the heads along with the blue CWD head tag included on the lower panels of their deer licenses. Also needed are the Game Management Unit (GMU) number and a location of the kill. There will be no charge for these animals. Tests generally take 7-10 days to complete and hunters will be notified by phone if an animal tests positive. Results can also be obtained from the Colorado Division of Wildlife website at wildlife.state.co.us. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disease found in deer, elk and moose. It belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases. The disease attacks the brains of infected deer, elk and moose, causing the animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior and incoordination, and eventually die. Hunters are advised against harvesting any deer or elk that appears unhealthy or is acting abnormally. For more information contact Tom Seamans at (719) 349-1246.