DNR Temporarily Bans Farmed Deer Movement into and Within Minnesota

ST. PAUL (KDLM) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued an emergency rule that temporarily prohibits the importation and movement of farmed white-tailed deer into and within Minnesota.

The emergency action took effect Monday, Oct. 11 and aims to reduce further spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and protect the health of Minnesota’s wild deer. The temporary ban will allow the DNR to determine the previous movements of known CWD-exposed deer and potential additional exposures.

The DNR is taking the action in response to the discovery that a CWD-positive farm in Wisconsin shipped 387 farmed white-tailed deer to farms in seven states, including Minnesota. Three farms in Minnesota ultimately received a total of five deer from the infected farm.