The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is requesting help from deer hunters to collect retropharyngeal lymph nodes from their deer harvests and submit those samples to CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab for CWD testing. This can be done in one of three ways:

1. Bring your harvest, or just the head, to a CDFW operated sampling station or office: wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Sampling-Station.

2. Bring your harvest and the head to a participating meat processor or taxidermist: wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Meat-Processors-Taxidermists.

3. Collect and submit samples yourself by following these instructions for sample collection and submission: wildlife.ca.gov/CWD/Collect-Submit-Samples.

Not only do hunters contribute millions of dollars to wildlife conservation, but they also play an important role in wildlife management efforts. Hunters are often the first people to report sick and injured wildlife, assist with citizen science and volunteer for habitat restoration projects. CDFW appreciates your contributions and asks you to assist in our efforts to keep CWD away from California. For more information on California’s CWD efforts, please visit our website at wildlife.ca.gov/CWD.

If you have any questions about our CWD surveillance program or collecting and submitting samples, please contact CDFW at CWD@wildlife.ca.gov or 916-358-2790

California Bowmen Hunters/State Archery Association

P.O. Box 27248

Anaheim, Ca. 92809