The season runs from December 19 through February 5 in a defined area along Manitoba’s western and southern borders, namely hunting zones 5, 6, 6A, 11, 12, 13, 13A, 18, 18A, 18B, 18C , 22, 23, 23A, 27, 28, 29, 29A, 30, 31, 31A, 32, 33, 35 and 35A.

Hunters must present the heads of their catch to the province so they can test cervids for chronic wasting diseases in that area.

In 2021, the province detected chronic wasting disease in deer for the first time on its territory. Five infected animals were identified this year. The discovery of two other sick animals was announced last Friday.

These findings support the need to monitor mule deer more closely for signs of chronic wasting to contain the spread.according to a statement from the province.

All infected deer were male mule deer. This species is more likely to carry the disease than white-tailed deer. Until 2021, hunting mule deer was banned in Manitoba because it is a protected species.

However, the province announced this summer that hunters could acquire licenses to kill up to three animals a year in a bid to curb the spread of the disease.

During a visit to the province’s wildlife laboratory in Dauphin earlier this fall, biologist responsible for monitoring the disease, Richard Davis, said he hadn’t seen as many mule deer samples as he would like.

This new hunting season should provide more specimens of mule deer.

Chronic wasting disease in deer is always fatal. The first cases were discovered in 1996 on a moose farm in Saskatchewan. Since then, the disease has spread to feral deer populations in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Although there is no evidence of transmission of this disease to humans, Health Canada recommends not eating meat from infected animals.