Florida’s white-tailed deer are a vital part of our state’s natural heritage, supporting healthy ecosystems, hunting traditions, and outdoor recreation across the state. Protecting these populations requires constant vigilance, especially when new threats emerge.
In 2025 our Foundation awarded a $138,903 grant through the Wildlife Foundation of Florida specialty license plate to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to support ongoing monitoring and response efforts for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Florida.
This investment builds on years of support from our Foundation, continuing a long-standing partnership to fund surveillance efforts that help detect and respond to this disease as early as possible.
CWD is a serious and always fatal disease that affects deer and other members of the cervid family. After more than 20 years of monitoring, Florida detected its first case in a wild white-tailed deer in Holmes County in 2023, followed by an additional infected deer just a mile away near the Alabama border. Georgia also recently reported a case five miles from the Florida border in Lowndes County. These cases triggered a coordinated response to better understand the disease and prevent its spread.
This project focuses on statewide surveillance, with intensive monitoring in areas surrounding the initial detection. Biologists are working to determine if and where the disease may spread by collecting and testing samples from deer across Florida. Early detection is critical because it allows wildlife managers to act quickly and protect healthy populations.
Collecting enough samples across Florida is no easy task. This project relies on a wide network of partners and sampling methods. Hunters, taxidermists, and deer processors play a key role. Through this grant, participating businesses receive direct payments for submitting samples, which has significantly increased participation. In the past year alone, more than 3,600 deer were tested statewide, surpassing the program’s sampling goals and helping biologists better understand potential risks.
Additional sampling comes from roadkill, deer reported sick or found dead, and targeted management efforts. Together, these approaches provide a clearer picture of deer health across the state and help ensure that any new cases are identified as early as possible.
So far, continued monitoring suggests that the disease may have been detected early, which is encouraging. However, with confirmed cases in neighboring states, ongoing surveillance remains essential to protect Florida’s deer populations and the habitats they depend on.
By continuing to invest in this work, we are helping safeguard one of Florida’s most important game species while also preserving hunting traditions and maintaining ecological balance across our diverse landscapes.
To show how much you care about Florida’s wildlife and help conserve species like the white-tailed deer, please purchase our Wildlife Foundation of Florida specialty license plate.
