(KBJR) — Hunters in Minnesota have two extra opportunities to hunt deer this year.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the extra December hunts. They are an effort to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

The hunts are in four permit areas in southeastern Minnesota where the disease is common in wild deer. That’s areas 643, 646, 647 and 648.

They are scheduled for December 20th through the 22nd, as well as the 27th through the 29th.

The hunts could be expanded pending CWD test results.