Dumpster program helps control CWD

With the gun deer hunting season set to run Nov. 23 through Dec. 1, the Department of Natural Resources and local volunteer organizations have again established the Adopt-a-Dumpster program to provide a safe and healthy way to dispose of deer carcass waste. Wisconsin prides itself on the quality of its deer herd and the availability of hunting opportunities; however, with a successful harvest comes the generation of deer carcass waste. Unfortunately, much of this waste is discarded in the fields, woods and waterways that support the herd, raising the risk of transmitting chronic wasting disease (CWD). Chronic wasting disease is a fatal, infectious nervous system disease of deer, moose, elk and reindeer/caribou. The Wisconsin DNR began monitoring the state’s wild white-tailed deer population for CWD in 1999. The first positives were found in 2002. The main goal of the Adopt-a-Dumpster program is to provide hunters an option for appropriate deer carcass waste disposal, especially in areas where carcass disposal options are very limited or unavailable. Individuals or organizations can volunteer to sponsor a Dumpster during the deer season at a mutually agreed upon location with the DNR. The DNR maintains a list of licensed or approved facilities willing to accept deer carcasses at dnr.wi.gov/ topic/ hunt/ landfillmap.html. Dumpster locations in Oconto County include: • DNR Ranger Station, 300 Hank Marks Drive, Oconto Falls. • Junction Shell, 12470 State Highway 32, Suring. • Suring Village Hall, 604 Main St., Suring. • Gillett Town Hall, 10908 Gillett Town Hall Road, Gillett. • Morgan Recycling Center, 3276 County Road C, Oconto Falls. • Oconto Sportsmen Club, 605 Wedgwood Ave., Oconto. • G3 Up North Convenience, N4111 County Road S, Pound. Hunters anywhere in Wisconsin can also submit a sample from their deer for CWD testing. Testing through the DNR is free for deer harvested in Wisconsin. Oconto County sampling sites include: • Gillett Shell Station, 6255 State Highway 32, Gillett. • DNR Ranger Station, 300 Hank Marks Drive, Oconto Falls. • Junction Shell, 12470 State Highway 32, Suring. • Abrams BP, 2531 E. Frontage Road, Abrams. • Meatski’s Quality Meats, W11124 State Highway 64, Pound. • Hillcrest Meats, 3180 Volk Lane, Oconto.