The province is now undertaking mandatory testing for white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk in select Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs) during the 2025-26 hunting season.
"We are committed to protecting the health of Saskatchewan's wildlife populations," said Environment Minister Travis Keisig. "Monitoring wildlife health protects Saskatchewan's vibrant hunting and agriculture economies. We rely on hunters to submit samples for testing, and we appreciate their cooperation and thank them for their continued support."
The province is focusing on two diseases for testing this year, in the following areas:
- Bovine Tuberculosis (TB): With two separate cattle herds testing positive in 2023 and 2024, mandatory TB testing will take place in WMZs 37 and 39.
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): As the province wants to preserve long-term wildlife management, mandatory CWD testing will be conducted in WMZs 43, 47, 50 and 55.
Any hunter who successfully hunts a deer or elk in these zones during either the draw or regular season must submit the animal's head for testing within one month of harvest or by January 21, 2026, whichever comes first.
Hunters outside of the mandatory zones are still encouraged to take part in voluntary CWD testing, with samples from deer, moose, and elk welcomed for CWD testing.
Drop-off locations are available throughout the province, and testing is provided free of charge for hunters participating in the program. Testing has detected a number of cases of CWD since 2000, with cases found in 63 of the province's 83 WMZs.
Both CWD and TB have the same submission process, with heads double bagged with the tracking number securely attached to the bag and dropped off at any designated CWD drop-off location. Hunters can visit cwdsk.ca to register and receive a unique tracking number. Sampling stations are also available in select locations for hunters who want to preserve and mount their heads.
Hunters can visit saskatchewan.ca/bovinetb for more information about TB, including safe field dressing recommendations, how to submit a sample for testing, and a list of sampling station locations and hours. CWD results will be posted online at saskatchewan.ca/cwd with an expected turnaround time of four-six weeks.
The carcass disposal program is also expanding this year as the province is adding additional disposal bins for the 2025-26 hunting season. Disposal bins will be accessible to hunters free of charge to dispose of carcasses, carcass waste or meat from CWD-positive animals. For a list of carcass disposal bin locations, they ask you to visit saskatchewan.ca/cwd.