The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will discontinue targeted culling in the southeastern corner of the state — including parts of Winona and Fillmore counties — where chronic wasting

"Chronic wasting disease, commonly referred to as CWD, is a fatal neurological disease that affects cervids, including white-tailed deer. It is found globally and in about half of the states in the U.S. CWD remains relatively rare in Minnesota but is a concern as there is no known cure," the DNR website states.

A startling increase in the prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in southeastern Minnesota’s deer population has triggered a new management response from the Department of Natural Resources that might surprise hunters.

Targeted culling of wild deer in Winona and Fillmore counties will end because a rise in CWD has made the disease management approach ineffective.

Officials say chronic wasting disease has reached "endemic stage" in three permit areas, meaning current management techniques are no longer effective.