Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease that affects members of the deer family such as white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. As of 2025, CWD has been detected in 36 U.S. states and internationally. CWD was first detected in Georgia in 2025. For white-tailed deer, the process for monitoring and preventing the spread of CWD throughout much of the white-tailed deer’s range has often been reactive and evolved on an as-needed basis. To help prevent the spread of CWD in Georgia, the UGA Deer Lab, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources aimed to proactively minimize disease risks through cooperative efforts with the public and partner agencies. It is vital that management agencies are prepared to communicate with hunters and other members of the public to aid in preventing CWD from spreading. This on-going research engages hunters to develop strategies for effective communication and cooperation (e.g., CWD sampling) that will be used to inform future surveillance and management efforts.
