Hunters reminded to get their deer or elk tested for CWD; Check stations operating during opening weekend of deer season

SALEM, Ore. – ODFW is increasing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) monitoring across Oregon, with new check stations planned as Any Legal Weapon deer seasons start statewide on Oct. 3.

All successful deer and elk hunters are asked to turn in a CWD sample, and each sample submitted between Aug. 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027, earns the hunter one entry into a drawing for a Howa 1500 .223 caliber rifle courtesy of the Oregon Hunters Association.

"With CWD detected in almost every bordering state, it is more imperative than ever for hunters to provide our unique contribution toward CWD detection and surveillance by voluntarily submitting samples from our harvested deer and elk," said OHA Conservation Director Tyler Dungannon.

"Positive detections in nearby states are very concerning," said Ashley Reeder, ODFW's CWD Surveillance Coordinator. "Early detection is our best tool in reducing the disease's impact on Oregon's deer, elk, and moose populations."

Sampling is quick. It takes roughly 10 minutes to collect lymph nodes and hunter details. If you don't pass a check station, there are several other ways to get your animal tested. Visit a participating taxidermist or meat processor, make an appointment at an ODFW office, or drop the head in an after-hours collection bin available at certain ODFW offices.

Visit ODFW's CWD page to learn more about all the ways to get your animal sampled.

Successful hunters should keep their eyes out for posted highway signs alerting you of an upcoming check station. Check station information is subject to change, and additional stations may be added throughout hunting season. It is mandatory for hunters to stop at a CWD check station if you pass one while transporting harvested deer or elk.

Deer Any Legal Weapon (ALW) season 2026 locations:
Celilo Park (exit 97 off I-84 west of Biggs Junction) (Google map coordinates) 
Oct. 4-6, 9 a.m. to dusk.

Prineville, ODOT Weigh Station off Hwy 26 (Google map coordinates) 
Oct. 4-6, 9 a.m. to dusk

Elgin Stampede Grounds, 790 S 8th Ave (Google map coordinates) 
Oct. 3-5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Oct. 10-11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Riley, The Riley Store, 17674 Hwy 20 (Google Maps coordinates)
Oct. 4-6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Aurora, French Prairie Rest Area – Northbound (Google Maps coordinates)
Nov. 4-6, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

1st Rocky Mountain elk ALW season 2026 locations: 
Celilo Park (exit 97 off I-84 west of Biggs Junction) (Google map coordinates) 
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to dusk.

Prineville, ODOT Weigh Station off Hwy 26 (Google map coordinates) 
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to dusk.

Elgin Stampede Grounds, 790 S 8th Ave (Google map coordinates) 
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to dusk.

Riley, The Riley Store, 17674 Hwy 20 (Google Maps coordinates)
Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ukiah, North Fork John Day Ranger Station, 401 Main St (Google map coordinates)
Oct. 31 - Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to dusk.

2nd Rocky Mountain elk ALW season 2026 locations: 
Riley, The Riley Store, 17674 Hwy 20 (Google Maps coordinates) 
Nov. 13-15, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

1st Coast elk ALW season:
Buxton, US-26 and OR-47 junction (Google Maps coordinates) 
Nov. 14, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
Nov. 15-17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

Test Results 
If your animal tests positive for CWD, you will be contacted directly by a biologist or veterinarian. Results are also posted on ODFW's CWD testing results page and can be found by ODFW ID or roadkill salvage permit confirmation number. 

More about CWD 
CWD has been detected in the neighboring states of Idaho, Washington and California, but never in Oregon. The disease is fatal to deer, elk, and moose, and no cure exists. Spread occurs through direct contact with an infected animal or by environmental contamination. The misfolded proteins (prions) that cause the disease can persist in the environment for years, heightening the risk of disease spread.

For over two decades, ODFW has monitored herds by testing more than 40,000 samples from hunter-harvested, road-killed, and other deceased animals—without finding any cases in Oregon to date.

Recent financial support received through a combination of state and USDA grant funding has allowed for a new in-state testing facility to open at the Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Corvallis. With the addition of this testing facility, the turnaround time for CWD test results will be greatly reduced, decreasing the amount of time hunters must wait for results and increasing the speed at which the state can respond to an initial detection.

While no evidence currently shows humans can become infected with CWD by consuming or touching infected animals, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises that people should avoid eating meat from CWD infected animals. The CDC also recommends that hunters exercise caution and follow safety guidance when processing animals; see CDC guidance on reducing risks.

Photo of CWD Check Station Sign.