As Autumn rolls onwards and the leaves begin to fall, hunters around the state begin to make their plans for the upcoming rifle hunting season commencing on November 23rd. Deer hunting, a conservation tool used for population management and DNR fundraising, has long been seen as a symbiotic relationship between hunters wanting to participate in outdoor recreation and state conservationists aiming to preserve the long-term viability of game populations. White-tailed deer are found throughout the state and are a hallmark of the Wisconsin landscape. Whether in your yard, at a park, or crossing the street, it seems deer sightings are a truly  universal Midwestern experience. Unfortunately, a fatal disease called Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been spreading across the state ever since its detection back in 2002. This challenge presents a new opportunity for conservationists and hunters to work together not only for game management, but to preserve the viability of the Wisconsin white-tailed deer population as a whole.

Chronic Wasting Disease: A Background

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was first detected among captive deer in Colorado in 1967. It has since spread across 35 U.S states, including Wisconsin. CWD affects prion proteins, a type of protein commonly found in the brain, which then causes lesions in the brain, impairing neurological function in deer, elk, moose and caribou. This fatal disease can take well over a year to exhibit symptoms. Symptoms include: drooling, weight loss, drooping head and ears, lack of appetite, and little awareness of humans. Due to the way CWD affects deer, it’s been aptly nicknamed “zombie deer disease.” This debilitating disease can be transmitted by direct contact, saliva, urine, feces or by blood and excrement from dead carcasses. When excrement makes contact with the soil and foliage, it can stay in the environment for many years. CWD isn’t known to be transmissible to humans, but there are circulating theories regarding the effects of consuming infected venison, which the CDC advises against, therefore testing is recommended before consuming hunted venison.

Testing

Due to the fact that CWD is fatal and easily-transmissible, testing – especially during hunting season – is of the utmost importance. Testing during the hunting season is the easiest way to help conservationists discern where CWD is detected in the state, how many cases there are, and where it’s spreading. This means Wisconsin hunters are put on the frontlines of the DNR’s conservation efforts, as samples from their hunts give the  DNR insights for future conservation efforts. 

The Wisconsin DNR has testing stations in every county, with both self-service and staffed options being available. For example, Nature Net member site, the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, is situated on the border of 4 CWD positive counties and has a new testing station for hunters in the area. Self-service kiosks allow hunters to drop off their deer head to be collected by DNR and later be sampled by the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Staffed testing stations will allow hunters to submit 100 grams of both muscle and liver tissue to be tested. If your deer tests positive for CWD, all is not lost, as not only are you avoiding a potential health risk through consumption, but you’ll receive a replacement tag that’s able to be used in the same county or statewide depending on if the deer is antlered or not. It cannot be stressed enough that cooperation between hunters and the DNR is essential for both parties, as testing is beneficial for all involved.

Map of 2024 CWD Sampling Needs in Wisconsin. Image Source: https://widnr.widen.net/s/fd8xcmxgnl/cwdsamplingareas

What You Can Do

Hunter or not, there’s always something you can do in regard to stopping and monitoring the spread. Firstly, do not touch, relocate, or eat meat from any roadkill or dead animals. Refrain from handling, shooting and eating animals that seem to look or act strange. It’s best to act with caution while further research can be done on CWD. Secondly, if you are a hunter, always wear rubber or latex gloves when handling or dressing hunted animals, and never use knives that you’d otherwise use in the kitchen. The DNR advises against relocating your deer from the county where it was hunted and to get your deer tested before eating. Finally, know the symptoms of CWD, and report any symptoms to the DNR. Whether you’re a hunter, a conservationist, or a lover of the outdoors, we all share a love for wildlife, so it’s our duty to work together to preserve the future of deer in the state.

Image Source: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/chronic-wasting-disease

For More:

• See how hunters and conservationists alike are tackling CWD in Wisconsin Chronic Wasting Disease Plagues Deer

• Check out this video by the DNR on how deer hunting and conservation work together in the state
• Deer are out in full force this time of year, so check out this DNR website for what to do if you see a sick or symptomatic deer

In Case You Missed It…

News from Nature Net Members​​

UW Arboretum	The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy	Bethel Horizons
Interested in the environmental of the local landscape? Come to the UW Arboretum Visitor Center on November 17th from 1-2:30 PM for a free guided walk to learn about the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the area and how they shaped early conservation in the area.	Want to learn more about the cycles and benefits of prescribed burns in Wisconsin? On November 21st from 6-7:30 PM, check out “Conservancy Days: Fire Ecology” with Scott Fulton at the Middleton Public Library.	Want an entirely unique experience perfect before Winter comes? Bethel Horizons is hosting an all-weekend Snowshoe Making Workshop that delves into the cultural significance of the traditional Ojibwe snowshoe, all while getting to make and keep one of your own. ​

For Families:	For Educators:	Upcoming Events:
Fall’s not over yet! Take a look at Nature Net’s 20 Things To Do In Fall for some ways on how to get the most out of the most beautiful season of the year!	Want to improve your knowledge as an Environmental Educator? Nature Net is proud to announce our highlighted Educator Trainings! They’re highlighted in yellow on the Nature Net Events Calendar.	The leaves may be changing, but one thing is sure to stay constant, Nature Net Members have events going on everyday for all ages! Head to the Nature Net Events Calendar today for a sure-fire way to enjoy you or your kid’s day off work or school!

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