- Buffalo Unit
- Platte Unit
- Frenchman Unit
- Republican Unit
Request a CWD Sampling Kit
Hunters in targeted units can now mail samples for CWD testing for free. Request your test kit today.
As part of continuing surveillance of chronic wasting disease in Nebraska, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is asking deer hunters who are planning to Telecheck their harvested deer during the upcoming archery, firearm and muzzleloader seasons in the following units to voluntarily complete the mailer request form below between Aug. 18 and Dec. 25, 2026, for a free sampling kit:
- Upper Platte Unit
- Plains Unit
- Pine Ridge Unit
- Sandhills Unit
Hunters can also pick up a kit in person at the Nebraska Game and Parks’ offices in Alliance, 299 Husker Road; Kearney, 1617 First Ave.; or North Platte, 301 E. State Farm Road. Samples will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2027.
In-person check stations – firearm season
Nebraska Game and Parks staff will also offer CWD testing at check stations in the following units during the November 2026 firearm deer season:
- Upper Platte Unit
- Plains Unit
- Pine Ridge Unit
- Sandhills Unit
Once your form has been processed, a packet will be mailed to you with a test kit and instructions for lymph node extraction and deer aging. Lost your instructions? Download them here.
Request a kit
PLEASE NOTE: This form is for hunters in the specified units who plan on checking their deer via Telecheck. Hunters who harvest deer in these units and take them to in-person check stations will have the option to request testing on site. Due to limited supply, kits are limited to one per person.
FAQs
Yes; hunters wishing to check their deer in person will be able to find a list of participating check stations on the Deer Hunting page.
Nebraska Game and Parks will provide kits only to those intending to Telecheck their harvested deer in one of the eight test units. In 2026, those are the Buffalo, Platte, Frenchman, Republican, Upper Platte, Plains, Pine Ridge and Sandhills units.
Testing and access to results are free of charge to hunters in the testing zone who check their deer in person or submit a sample using a kit.
Those outside of the testing zone may pay to have their deer tested through the Nebraska, Kansas or Wyoming veterinary diagnostic centers. Find details on the Chronic Wasting Disease page.
Shipping should take three to seven business days once the form has been processed. The kit with supplies, instructions and a free return shipping label will be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service.
Kits have a long shelf life and can be used for your harvest this year or in the future. Please use kits prior to ordering new kits.
Hunters should use the free prepaid FedEx shipping label that comes in their kit to mail their sample. Hunters can schedule their package to be picked up by a local FedEx or they can drop off their package at a local FedEx location or participating Walgreens. Find FedEx locations. Alternatively, The public can pick up and/or ship kits from the Alliance, Kearney, and North Platte district offices.
Please note: Hunters should not ship samples on Fridays or Saturdays to ensure quality samples for testing.
Yes, you will be notified through email (only if your deer tests positive). Test results can also be looked up through the CWD Lookup App after we receive results from the Veterinary Diagnostic Center. You will be able to check your results by using your seal number. Results are typically posted within 3 to 6 weeks.
Hunters should sample their deer within three days of harvest, and samples kept frozen until they can be shipped.
Kits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. As Telecheck becomes more common, Game and Parks is exploring additional ways to collect harvested deer samples and maintain CWD surveillance.
