The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is asking residents to call them in if they spot a dead deer.
Representatives from the ministry said there is concern that there may be bluetongue disease in local deer.
This disease is viral, affecting mammals like deer, cattle and sheep. It does not affect humans or other domestic animals, like household pets. It is an insect-borne disease, which can have significant impact on especially the white-tailed deer populations.
The most recent outbreak of bluetongue disease was in Grand Forks in 2015.
Residents should call either the Penticton or Nelson forestry offices if they find a deer, and it will be taken away for testing.
They can contact either Craig McLean at the Penticton office at 250-490-8254 (after hours at 250-462-0727), or Aaron Reid at the Nelson office at 250-354-6288 (after hours at 250-505-4530).