The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is discontinuing targeted deer culling in the southeast part of the state, following an advancement of Chronic Waste Disease (CWD) to an “endemic” stage.

A startling increase in the prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in southeastern Minnesota’s deer population has triggered a new management response from the Department of Natural Resources that might surprise hunters.

A strategy change is taking place to help combat chronic wasting disease in three southeast Minnesota deer permit areas.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced on Wednesday that they will cease targeted culling of deer in three permit areas due to levels of chronic wasting disease reaching endemic levels.

Targeted culling of wild deer in Winona and Fillmore counties will end because a rise in CWD has made the disease management approach ineffective.