Chronic Wasting Disease Research at the USGS-Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit

Factors influencing deer harvest from the chronic wasting disease eradication zone in south-central Wisconsin

The current control method for CWD in WI is the harvest of deer from affected areas to reduce deer density and lower CWD transmission. However, deer harvest is highly spatially heterogeneous. The objective of our research was to identify factors associated with deer harvest across south-central WI. Our analysis indicated that harvest of deer by hunters was positively related to deer density, the number of landowners that requested harvest permits, and proximity to the area of highest CWD infection. In contrast, harvest was not significantly impacted in areas where landowners signed a petition protesting intensive deer reduction. The success of programs designed to reduce deer populations for disease control or to reduce overabundance will strongly depend on landowner and hunter participation.  Results suggest that management programs should monitor and assess deer population reduction and evaluate factors affecting program success to improve methods to meet management goals.

Former Research Associate: Dr. Julie Blanchong

Blanchong, J.A., D.O. Joly, M.D. Samuel, J.A. Langenberg, R.E. Rolley, and J.F. Sausen. 2006. White-tailed deer harvest from the chronic

wasting disease eradication zone in south-central Wisconsin. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:725-731.

Back to Management Page

Back to Introduction