CWD testing and venison donation in Illinois

Where to get a deer tested, where to look up the result, and where to give venison, from Illinois’s own agency and the programs’ own pages.

On the national list of states with CWD found in wild deer, elk or moose Checked Sep 18, 2026

Getting a deer tested Illinois Department of Natural Resources

From the agency’s page: Page links testing locations, a mail-in testing kit request, and a results search by phone number.

Chronic Wasting Disease Management Look up a result The agency’s CWD map

Sampling sites, zones and dates are the agency’s to set. Check its page before you go.

Before you eat the meat

CDC advises strongly considering a CWD test before you eat deer or elk meat, and checking whether your state recommends or requires testing where you hunt. Recommendations vary by state.

About Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) — CDC

Donating venison in Illinois

How can you donate venison? (Illinois DNR) Illinois · checked Sep 18, 2026

“multiple organizations in the state that will accept your deer, pay for processing” source
“The animal should be field dressed immediately” source
“strongly recommends deer taken in a CWD county be tested and test negative” source

CWD: IDNR strongly recommends that deer taken in a CWD county be tested and test negative before the meat is donated. This is a recommendation, not a stated requirement.

The program’s page

Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry National · checked Sep 18, 2026

“Donate deer, elk, or livestock at our participating butchers!” source
“We recommend contacting butchers ahead of time to confirm current participation” source
“all processing costs are paid for by the program depending on available funding” source

The program’s page

NRA Hunters for the Hungry National · checked Sep 18, 2026

“Game must be legally harvested” source
“All game must be field dressed” source
“must be legally tagged, and donated in the state it was taken in” source
“Roadkill, no matter what state, is not accepted.” source
“Typically state programs cover the cost of processing” source

The program’s page

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Every pound accounted for.

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