a case of Chronic debilitating disease recently detected in a facility in upstate New York occurred at a captive deer facility in southern Herkimer County, according to new information from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The DEC did not name the captive deer facility, nor specify the species and number of infected animals, calling it only an “isolated detection” during routine CWD monitoring.

There are currently no suspected cases of CWD in wild deer, the DEC said, but the agency is asking local hunters and the general public for help.

Anyone who observes sick or dying deer, including roadkill deer, in the cities of Columbia, German Flatts or Warren in Herkimer County, and the city of Richfield in Otsego County, should report the deer to DEC immediately .

To report sick or dead deer, email ([email protected]) or call the DEC Region 6 Wildlife Office: 315-785-2263.

Hunters who hunt deer in the cities listed above, as well as the towns of Litchfield or Winfield in Herkimer County, should save the deer head and leave it for testing at one of the following locations.

A white metal container with DEC messages will be installed at each location. Testing is free and DEC will notify hunters immediately if their deer test positive for CWD.

Instructions:

• Cut off the head of the deer, leaving a bit of neck.
• Keep your head cool or frozen until shipping to DEC.
• Remove the skull plate and antlers from males before shipping.
• Place the head in a plastic garbage bag.
• Label the bag with your name, address, and phone number.
• Place the bagged head in the white metal container in one of the following locations.
• Taxidermists can take samples from the deer you want to mount.

Deer head delivery locations:

warren city

• 131 Hyde-Bell Lane, Jordanville, NY 13361 (Department of Highways)

city ​​of colombia

• 936 Jordanville Road, Ilion, NY 13367 (Arena Building)
• 147 County Route 259, Ilion, NY 13357 (town hall)

City of Litchfield

• 804 Cedarville Road, Ilion, NY 13357 (Department of Highways)

winfield city

• 306 Stone Road, West Winfield, NY 13491 (Department of Highways)

herkimer city

• 225 North Main Street, Herkimer, NY 13350 (Herkimer NYSDEC Office)

City of Richfield

• Boss Farm, 1545 County Route 25, Richfield Springs 13439

CWD is a highly contagious and deadly brain disease that poses a serious threat to New York’s deer and elk populations. Animals in the later stages of the disease become emaciated, stumble or act listlessly, drool excessively, and show no fear of humans.

He latest reported case of chronic wasting disease in New York was at a captive deer facility in Oneida County in 2005.

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, siracusa.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter @plumaexteriores. You can also follow all of our outdoor content on newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors