PINE ISLAND, Minn. (AP) — Those leading the fight against chronic wasting disease in southeastern Minnesota say a plan to kill and test deer is off to a strong start.

The Post-Bulletin of Rochester reports that 43 deer had been killed as of Tuesday.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued permits to 65 landowners to shoot within a CWD zone. The department’s goal is to shoot and test 900 deer in all.

Test results on the first batch of deer are expected later this week.

The undertaking comes after a wild deer near Pine Island was found to have the fatal brain disease last fall. While there is no evidence of CWD spreading to humans, eating meat from infected animals is not recommended.

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