DNR Bans Deer-Feeding In 5 Minnesota Counties In CWD Fight

ST. PAUL (AP) - The Department of Natural Resources plans to ban deer feeding in five counties as the agency fights chronic wasting disease in southeastern Minnesota.

The agency announced a 370-square-mile disease management zone Monday. The deer feeding ban goes into effect later this month in Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted and Winona counties.

The DNR also plans a special late-season deer hunt in the zone, from Dec. 31 through Jan. 15, to help prevent the disease from spreading. Details will be announced later.

Two deer infected with chronic wasting disease were recently discovered near Lanesboro, the first detection among wild deer in Minnesota since 2010. It's fatal to deer, elk and moose.

A public meeting on how landowners and hunters can help the DNR manage the disease will be held Thursday in Preston.