Taxidermy and Processing
Cervid Health Cooperator Program
Taxidermists: help protect North Carolina’s deer herd and earn money by collecting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) samples from North Carolina deer!
The Cervid Health Cooperator certification program is a partnership between the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and N.C. taxidermists to increase disease surveillance in our state and monitor the health of our deer herd. Taxidermists enrolled in the certification program will learn how to obtain samples and earn money for submitting samples for testing.
How to Become a Cervid Health Cooperator?
To become a CHC, contact your local District Biologist. A one-on-one or small group training will be scheduled, which will include a hands-on demonstration on collecting the medial Retropharyngeal Lymph Nodes (RPLNs). Only certified collectors will be paid. After successfully completing the training, CHCs will be certified to harvest samples from North Carolina deer and receive a free CHC cap!
Why Collect Medial Retropharyngeal Lymph Nodes?
RPLNs are collected to test for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is a fatal neurological disease in cervids (e.g. deer, elk, moose, and reindeer/caribou). The source of the disease is an abnormal prion (a form of protein) that collects in the animal’s lymph nodes and brain cells. The brain cells eventually burst, leaving behind microscopic empty spaces in the brain matter that give it a “spongy” look. However, it can take over 16 months for obvious signs of CWD to develop, meaning cervids can appear to be healthy yet still have the disease. RPLNs are used to test for CWD, even prior to physical signs developing in the animal.
Seen a Sick Deer?
If you have seen or harvested a sick deer, please call your local District Biologist or the Wildlife Helpline at 1-866-318-2401.
Signs to look for:
- Isolation from other animals
- Listlessness or showing little or no interest in their surroundings
- Lack of coordination
- Frequent lowering of the head
- Blank facial expressions
- Walking in set patterns
- Drooling and grinding of teeth
- Drinking lots of water and increased urination
- Low weight
For more information, see our Chronic Wasting Disease Fact Sheet (PDF).