Taxidermist program led to Indiana’s first CWD discovery

Indianapolis — A wildlife effort shared by the National Deer Association and Indiana DNR helped find the first confirmed case of chronic wasting disease in an Indiana deer last month. The Taxidermist Incentive Program pays $10 to Indiana taxidermists for every sample they collect from deer and submit for CWD testing. A participating taxidermist submitted the deer that tested positive in LaGrange County.

Through the program, NDA serves as the vendor who makes payments to taxidermists possible. In 2023-24, nearly 30 taxidermists across Indiana participated in the program, collecting more than 400 CWD samples.

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“Indiana DNR came to us and asked if we could help,” said Kip Adams, NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer. “Our involvement means a lot more taxidermists can participate, and more CWD testing gets done. Early detection and management of CWD depends on testing, so our participation is a great way for NDA to help in the fight against this disease.”

NDA also cooperates in a similar program in Kentucky with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife.