Chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues to pose a serious threat to Florida’s white-tailed deer population. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently confirmed the state’s second case of CWD, discovered in a young white-tailed doe struck by a vehicle in Holmes County, near the Alabama border. The first case, detected in June 2023 just a mile away, was found in a four-year-old doe. Georgia also recently reported a case five miles from the Florida border in Lowndes County. Both Florida detections came through FWC’s ongoing and comprehensive monitoring program, which has been in place for more than two decades.
CWD is a neurological disorder that affects members of the deer family; it is always fatal. It spreads easily through direct contact between animals, environmental contamination, and even via ticks. Infected deer can live for years without showing symptoms, silently spreading the disease within herds. Symptoms, when they do appear, include weight loss, behavioral changes, loss of coordination, and excessive salivation.
FWC’s early detection and rapid response have placed Florida in a strong position to slow the spread of this devastating disease, and the confirmed cases are proof this monitoring is working! The agency has established a special management zone and expanded surveillance in Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. Testing is ongoing for dozens of deer to determine whether the disease has spread beyond the immediate area. FWC has also implemented hunting regulations designed to monitor the health of the deer population, including mandatory carcass checks in the management zone.
Our Foundation is proud to continue supporting FWC’s tireless work. Building on our long history of funding CWD research, education, and monitoring, we recently committed an additional $100,000 grant to FWC for continued surveillance and rapid response. This funding was made possible through sales of the Wildlife Foundation of Florida “deer” specialty license plate.
Hunters play a vital role in Florida’s fight against CWD. Each sample submitted helps FWC track the disease’s reach and informs strategies to manage it effectively. Experts emphasize that maintaining hunter engagement is critical, as hunting remains one of the most important tools for regulating deer populations and funding wildlife conservation efforts.
By purchasing a “deer” plate, you directly contribute to the ongoing monitoring and protection of Florida’s deer and other game species. Together we can ensure a healthy future for the state’s wildlife and the many ecosystems that depend on them.
