White-Tailed Deer Movement Study Offers New Clues to Containing Chronic Wasting Disease.

A recent study on white-tailed deer in southwest Wisconsin has shed light on how their seasonal behaviors impact the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Published in Wildlife Monographs, the research analyzed movement patterns, habitat preferences, and social interactions among nearly 600 deer to better understand disease transmission dynamics.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disorder caused by prions, spreading both through direct contact among deer and indirectly via the environment. The disease has been expanding across North America, raising concerns for wildlife managers and the hunting industry.

The study found that deer tend to select habitats that support environmental transmission in the summer and early fall. In the breeding season during fall, increased social contact among deer promotes direct transmission. In winter and early spring, a combination of habitat use and social behavior appears to support both modes of disease spread.

Researchers also noted that agricultural fields and pastures are particularly attractive to deer during summer and winter, potentially increasing the chance of cross-group transmission.

Dr. Marie Gilbertson of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the study’s lead author, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the research, involving the Wisconsin DNR, U.S. Geological Survey, nearly 400 landowners, and about 1,000 volunteers.

These findings offer critical guidance for more effective CWD management strategies across the continent.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-scientists-white-tailed-deer-chronic.html

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.