ROCHESTER, Minn. – Deer hunters on opening weekend had one less requirement to meet in bringing home their deer. It’s been mandatory for several years for hunters to get their deer tested for chronic wasting disease, but this year it’s voluntary. Brandon Schad, a regional Department of Natural Resources supervisor, said the DNR wanted to minimize COVID transmission among hunters congregating at test stations. Testing had been required earlier to help the state track the spread of chronic wasting disease, which is highly contagious and fatal among deer and elk.
State deer herd
2020: 950,000
2019: 935,000