Saskatchewan Updates Chronic Wasting Disease Testing Approach for 2026-27

CANADA, October 22 - Released on October 22, 2026

The Government of Saskatchewan has updated the chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing approach for the 2026-27 hunting season, which includes mandatory testing in designated areas and voluntary testing elsewhere in the province, consistent with the approach used in 2025-26.

The revised approach responds to feedback from hunters who said continued access to testing is important when making decisions about consuming harvested wild game.

"We heard clearly from hunters that access to CWD testing matters to them and their families," Environment Minister Darlene Rowden said. "Returning to the previous testing approach will provide hunters with information to support their decisions and maintain important surveillance information to support wildlife management."

Hunters may continue to voluntarily submit eligible samples through the ministry's existing CWD testing program. Mandatory testing requirements will also remain in place in designated wildlife management zones. Samples already accepted by the ministry, including those submitted from voluntary testing zones, will also be tested.

The revised approach will allow the ministry to continue collecting information about the prevalence and distribution of CWD, support wildlife health monitoring and provide individual hunters with the status of submitted samples. Hunters required to submit samples must continue to follow the requirements that apply to the wildlife management zone, species and licence under which the animal was harvested.

Hunters should continue to follow current submission instructions and check Saskatchewan.ca/CWD for testing information, eligible species, submission locations and updates. The web content will be updated later today. Hunters will be notified of the updated requirements by October 31, 2026.

-30-