ST. PAUL, Minn. — The state Department of Natural Resources says no chronic wasting disease was detected in deer taken in southeastern Minnesota during the 2014 firearms season.
The DNR undertook the surveillance effort after the disease was discovered in a wild deer in neighboring Allamakee County, Iowa.
During Minnesota's firearms deer season, hunters voluntarily brought deer to be sampled for chronic wasting disease at eight registration stations. In total, the DNR sampled 411 deer within the two permit areas.
DNR official say this latest sampling effort suggests that chronic wasting disease does not exist in Minnesota's wild deer herd, or is at a level so low that it has not been detected.
The disease is fatal for deer, elk and moose, but there is no evidence it spreads to humans.
