The Meskwaki Natural Resources Department, in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services, began testing deer on the Settlement in 2006 for Chronic Wasting Disease.

Since that time, the Department has collected over 40 deer heads with all results negative. According the the Iowa DNR, no deer have tested positive in Iowa so far, but in Illinois the disease has spread to LaSalle County, northern Illinois, which brings the state's total to 189 cases since 2002.

Due to the close proximity of positive cases of CWD in neighboring states, the Meskwaki Natural Resources Department is testing for CWD to identify any cases and be able to act earlier to eradicate and/or prevent any spread of the disease.

If you see a deer exhibiting unusual behavior or would like to report a road kill deer, please contact the Meskwaki Natural Resources Office at 484-3511.