Wildlife Habitat_Content Page_CWD Volunteer Opportunities

CWD Volunteer Opportunities

Many Wisconsinites want to get involved with chronic wasting disease (CWD) efforts in their local area. In response, the DNR launched the Adopt-a-Kiosk (AAK) and Adopt-a-Dumpster (AAD) programs to expand hunter access to CWD testing and proper deer carcass disposal through local volunteer efforts. The programs give more hunters convenient opportunities to participate in CWD management around the state.

ADOPT-A-KIOSK

The DNR's self-service CWD kiosks provide hunters around Wisconsin with convenient access to CWD testing. Hunters can use kiosks 24/7 to drop off their harvested deer's head for testing. The DNR partners with volunteer individuals and organizations each deer season to effectively manage our sampling kiosks.

Individuals or organizations can volunteer to sponsor a kiosk throughout the deer season at an agreed-upon location with the DNR. Adopt-a-Kiosk participants are responsible for the guidelines associated with the partnership, but the DNR provides all kiosk supplies. Together, we can make CWD testing more convenient and increase hunter participation, which is crucial to the state's CWD monitoring efforts.

For the Construct-a-Kiosk option, partners purchase materials and construct a kiosk following the DNR's blueprint.

CWD sampling kiosk
An example of a CWD sampling kiosk.

ADOPT-A-DUMPSTER

Properly disposing of deer carcasses is an important way hunters can help slow the spread of CWD in Wisconsin. Through the Adopt-a-Dumpster program, partners work with the DNR to provide convenient deer carcass disposal locations, especially in areas where options are limited or unavailable. Partners in the program volunteer to sponsor a dumpster during the deer season, at a mutually agreed upon location with the DNR.

There are two ways partners can participate in Adopt-a-Dumpster:

  • Donate Full Cost: Partners adopt the dumpster, fund all costs and are responsible for following all guidelines associated with the dumpster program. The length of time the dumpster is available is determined by the participant and DNR.
  • Donate Partial Cost through Cost-Sharing: The cost-sharing program ensures that partners will not pay more than $500 for their share. In most counties, cost-sharing is available for up to three locations.

The DNR prefers to locate dumpsters on private land. However, options are available for individuals or groups to host locations on public land in consultation with the DNR.

Deer carcass waste dumpster
An example of a deer carcass waste dumpster.

Donate Towards A Dumpster

Individuals or organizations who are unable to sponsor or host a dumpster through the Adopt-a-Dumpster program can still assist with proper deer carcass waste disposal. Donations can be made to provide additional funding to the statewide dumpster program to assist with deer carcass waste disposal. Donations are tax deductible and a specific deer carcass waste dumpster can be identified for support. Unless the donor declines to be recognized, the Department shall recognize the donor’s donation through signage on the dumpster, and recognition on the Department’s website, in press releases and other media avenues during the deer season.

How To Get Involved

For more details on Adopt-a-Kiosk, Adopt-a-Dumpster or to submit a donation towards a dumpster contact your local representative:

The DNR's Deer Donation Partners Program offers ways for individuals and organizations to grow participation in the Deer Donation Program in their local area. See the Deer Donation Program page for more information.