LANSING — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging hunters in the northeast Lower Peninsula to submit deer heads for free bovine tuberculosis testing as the disease continues to affect herds in the region.
According to a Dec. 4 DNR news release, Bovine tuberculosis can spread from animals to humans and is difficult to detect in harvested deer, the DNR said. Mitch Marcus, the agency’s wildlife health supervisor, said even deer that appear healthy can test positive.
“A deer can be positive for bovine tuberculosis even if a hunter sees no sign of infection in the lungs or chest cavity,” Marcus said. “Bovine TB develops slowly, and most positive deer submitted by hunters appear healthy. That’s why submitting deer heads for bovine TB testing is so important.”
Hunters who harvest deer in Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle and Roscommon counties are asked to turn in deer heads for testing.
Bovine tuberculosis affects white-tailed deer, elk and cattle and is primarily transmitted through respiratory secretions when animals make nose-to-nose contact or share contaminated feed or water. The disease can persist in the environment during wet winter months and can also be transmitted to humans.
The DNR said testing is necessary to monitor and manage the spread of the disease. Samples can be submitted at processors, taxidermists, DNR field offices and 24-hour drop boxes. Test results typically take one to four weeks, with longer delays expected during firearm season.
Hunters are advised not to consume animals infected with bovine tuberculosis and to wear rubber gloves while field dressing.
Less than 38% of infected deer show visible signs in the chest cavity, and infection often begins in lymph nodes in the head. Hunters who find lesions in the chest cavity should contact the DNR Wildlife Division. Those concerned about exposure should consult a physician.
The DNR and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development set annual testing goals to track changes in bovine tuberculosis across the region.
At least 300 deer heads are needed each year from Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Otsego, Presque Isle and Roscommon counties, and at least 2,800 combined from Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda counties. Samples with suspicious lesions from anywhere in the state are also requested.
The DNR said additional samples are still needed from nearly all affected counties.
To submit your deer for testing, take it to one of the many disease sample submission sites throughout Michigan. Locations include cooperating processors and taxidermists in addition to DNR field offices and 24-hour drop boxes. Learn more on the bovine tuberculosis testing page.