WATERTOWN, Wis. — Data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shows about 1 in 10 deer tissue samples analyzed since April have tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The DNR is still analyzing thousands of samples from the gun deer season, but 10% would be a record rate of CWD since the department started monitoring the disease in 1999.

What You Need To Know

  • CWD is an infectious and fatal illness affecting the nervous system in mammals like deer, elk and caribou

  • Higher rates of CWD testing give the DNR a more complete understanding of CWD’s spread across the state

  • There have been no confirmed cases of humans falling ill after consuming meat from a deer with chronic wasting disease

CWD is an infectious and fatal illness affecting the nervous system in mammals like deer, elk and caribou. The DNR recommends all hunters submit tissue samples of their harvested deer for testing, though the process is voluntary in Wisconsin. There are a number of options for hunters when it comes to CWD sampling, including DNR small businesses like meat processors and taxidermists partnering with the DNR.

In Watertown, gun deer season is the start of the busiest stretch of the year at Seth’s Taxidermy Studio. Above the shop, owner Seth Schmidt has hung dozens of antlers, which he will reattach in the coming months to complete his customers’ orders for shoulder mounts.

Each time a customer drops off a trophy buck, Schmidt asks if they want him to extract lymph node samples for CWD testing. He estimates only about 10% of hunters ordering shoulder mounts submit these specimens. Most, he said, do not perceive the deadly deer disease as any threat to their health.

“Everyone has their own reasons for getting their deer sampled,” Schmidt said. “Some want to help out the DNR, some are cautious with their family.”

Higher rates of CWD testing give the DNR a more complete understanding of CWD’s spread across the state. 

According to the department website, waning public support and limited funding have prevented the DNR from fully implementing its 15-year Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan, and eliminating CWD in the state with available tools is unlikely. One DNR report concludes CWD poses threats to the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s deer population and, therefore, deer hunting throughout the state.

There have been no confirmed cases of humans falling ill after consuming meat from a deer with chronic wasting disease. Still, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all advise against eating meat from CWD-positive deer.