Hunters who are successful on any day of the deer hunting season in Arlington, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, Page, Prince William, and Rappahannock counties are encouraged to voluntarily get their tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD) by bringing it to a voluntary CWD deer testing collection site.
Hunters whose deer test positive for CWD are notified by the Department 10–21 days after submission of the deer head. Results from deer that do not test positive for CWD are usually available for viewing on the Department website 30–45 days post-submission of the deer head.
Instructions for Voluntary Submissions of Deer Heads for CWD Testing
- Bring the head and at least 4 inches of neck to a CWD deer head drop site.
- Heads with the antlers and/or skull plate removed can still be tested for CWD.
- Heads should be as fresh as possible (i.e., submitted a few days after death and kept cold prior to submission).
- If you plan to mount the head, submit the head and 4 inches of neck after caping is complete.
- Fill out the data card per instructions posted at the CWD deer head drop site.