Statewide Sampling and Free CWD Testing

Statewide sampling will target the Eastern Zone for 2026-2027 along with free testing for hunter-harvested deer 1.5 years and older in any zone from interested hunters who provide samples.

 This free CWD testing is available on a first-come, first-served basis until testing funds are exhausted.

Jump to CWD Test Results

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How To Submit a Sample

1. Complete the data card (front and back) for each deer to be tested.  Blank data cards are available from KDWP wildlife biologists at the collection sites listed below, from the paper Hunting and Furharvester Regulations Summary books, or by downloading the card here.  Any unique Deer ID can be used, but the Deer ID on the data card must match the Deer ID on the container with the sample.

2. Take your sample to a collector or ship it on your own.

• For deer/elk harvested in the Eastern Surveillance Zone: Take the whole head to one of the participating private sample collectors listed below, and KDWP will pay for your testing until funding is gone. Take the deer head or samples to the wildlife biologist if you prefer quicker results.

• For game harvested outside the Eastern Surveillance Zone: After calling ahead to make arrangements, take the sample(s) or the whole head to a wildlife biologist listed below, and KDWP will pay for your testing until funding is gone.

• To ship your sample directly to the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KVDL):
  •  Ship sample(s) directly to KVDL (at your own expense) with a completed data card for each animal (see provided template). If a completed data card accompanies the sample, KDWP will pay for the testing until funding is gone. If a data card is incomplete or does not accompany a sample, testing must be completed at the hunter’s expense. or
  •  Ship sample(s) directly to KVDL and pay for shipping and testing on your own. For this option, no data card is required. Contact KVDL at (785) 532-5650 to make arrangements or set up an account

How To Collect a Sample

Watch this instructional video for to properly extract the correct lymph nodes for CWD Testing.

Where to Take Your Samples

Samples collected from any Surveillance Zone can be taken to the KDWP locations listed below.

Samples from the Eastern Surveillance Zone can also be taken to these Sample Collectors listed below.

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2026-2027 CWD Testing Results Coming Soon

CWD results take about 1 month  after samples are received when the lab is busy. When the lab is not as busy during the start of deer season, testing typically takes 2 weeks. It is highly recommended that venison be for at least 30 days before cooking or dehydrating to to help kill any parasites that may be present.

About Negative Results: Based on current transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) research and pathogenesis studies, it is is possible to have protease-resistant prion protein present at levels below the sensitivity of this test. It may also be present in tissue other than those that were sampled. This analysis was performed and validated using scrapie positive brain or lymph node tissues as controls.