The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking help from the public during the 2025 hunting season to monitor for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer populations. This request follows the confirmation of CWD at a captive deer facility in Columbia, Herkimer County, in the fall of 2024 by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. After the disease was detected, DEC tested 196 wild deer in the area and found no evidence of CWD.
For the 2025 hunting season, DEC will increase sampling of deer in several towns: Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren, and Winfield in Herkimer County, as well as Richfield in Otsego County. Hunters who harvest deer in these areas can bring the heads to one of eight designated drop-off sites for free testing. Taxidermists can also submit samples from deer intended for mounting. DEC will notify hunters if their sample tests positive.
The DEC has provided instructions for submitting deer heads, including how to prepare and label them, and where to deposit them at the drop-off locations.
The DEC encourages hunters and taxidermists to participate in this surveillance effort to protect wild deer and moose from CWD. The agency states: “Hunters and partners play a vital role in keeping New York’s wild deer herd free of CWD. DEC continues to work with the public to monitor deer health and prevent the disease from spreading.”
For more information about CWD, DEC’s response, and ongoing surveillance, the public can visit the Chronic Wasting Disease webpage.
