If you’re hunting deer or elk this season, take note: mandatory disease testing is now in effect in select areas of Saskatchewan for the 2025-26 hunting season.
Environment Minister Travis Keisig emphasized the importance of monitoring wildlife health. “Protecting our wildlife helps keep hunting and agriculture strong. We appreciate hunters who submit samples for testing and thank them for their support.”
What’s Being Tested
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Bovine Tuberculosis (TB): Mandatory in WMZs 37 and 39, following confirmed cases in cattle herds.
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Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Mandatory in WMZs 43, 47, 50, and 55 to help manage wildlife long-term.
Hunters in these zones must submit the animal’s head within one month of harvest or by January 21, 2026, whichever comes first.
Voluntary Testing Everywhere Else
Hunters outside mandatory zones can still participate in CWD testing. Deer, moose, and elk harvested anywhere in Saskatchewan can be submitted for free through the provincial surveillance program.
Since 2000, CWD has been detected in 63 of Saskatchewan’s 83 WMZs, making participation important for tracking the disease.
How to Submit Samples
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Register online at cwdsk.ca to get a unique tracking number.
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Double-bag the animal’s head, attach the tracking number, and drop it off at a designated CWD location.
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Hunters wanting to keep and mount their heads can visit sampling stations where technicians will collect the sample.
CWD results are posted online at saskatchewan.ca/cwd, usually within 4–6 weeks. For TB testing tips and locations, visit saskatchewan.ca/bovinetb.
Carcass Disposal
The ministry is also expanding carcass disposal this season. Hunters can use free disposal bins across the province to safely discard carcasses, waste, or meat from CWD-positive animals. Check locations at saskatchewan.ca/cwd.