Hunters in the Yorkton region will be required to submit samples from harvested animals this season as the province rolls out mandatory disease testing in select Wildlife Management Zones.
The Ministry of Environment says mandatory testing for bovine tuberculosis is now in place in zones 37 and 39, which cover the Yorkton area. The move comes after confirmed cases in two separate cattle herds in 2023 and 2024.
Chronic wasting disease testing will also be mandatory in zones 43, 47, 50 and 55 to support long-term wildlife monitoring.
Environment Minister Travis Keisig says hunter participation is vital to protecting both wildlife and the agriculture sector.
“We are committed to protecting the health of Saskatchewan’s wildlife populations,” Keisig said in a release. “Monitoring wildlife health protects Saskatchewan’s vibrant hunting and agriculture economies. We rely on hunters to submit samples for testing, and we appreciate their cooperation and thank them for their continued support.”
Hunters in affected zones must submit the head of any deer or elk harvested during the draw or regular season within one month of harvest or by Jan. 21, 2026, whichever comes first.
Testing is free and drop-off locations are available across Saskatchewan. The ministry says results will be posted online within four to six weeks.
Since chronic wasting disease was first detected in wild deer in 2000, it has spread to 63 of the province’s 83 wildlife zones.
For hunters outside mandatory areas, voluntary testing remains available for deer, moose and elk. Additional carcass disposal bins will also be added this season for hunters needing to safely discard waste or animals that test positive for the disease.
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