CWD ‘prevention plan’ hits Wisconsin legislature

Madison — Wisconsin Rep. Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon) and Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) introduced what they are calling a “CWD Prevention Package” containing three bills that “aim to combat, monitor and increase awareness around chronic wasting disease (CWD).”

The proposal would provide more than $5 million for CWD work around the state, including deer herd testing, disease research, carcass disposal sites and education relating to CWD.

“The package … was made in an effort to fight the spread of CWD that is one hundred percent fatal (in cervids),” Jacobson said. “As the 2025 archery season has begun, and gun deer hunting season is around the corner, there’s no better time to do the right thing and get these bills passed into law.

“Since 2002, when the first cases of CWD were detected in Wisconsin, over 8,300 deer have tested positive across 60 counties,” she said.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau said that under the first bill, “the DNR may research CWD in cervids, in addition to managing and providing funding to conduct testing for CWD, which the DNR is authorized to do under current law. The bill would set aside $3 million annually from the general fund in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 for research on and management of CWD.”

Current law appropriates no money for this purpose.

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The second bill would allow the DNR to manage and provide funding to conduct CWD testing in wild cervids. Currently, the DNR administers a program under which it provides CWD sampling stations, including self-service kiosks, where hunters can drop off deer parts for testing.

This bill codifies this program by requiring the DNR to establish and administer it and provides $1 million in the 2025-27 fiscal biennium for the program. The bill allows the DNR to contract with private entities to collect tissue samples.

The third bill requires the DNR to provide dumpsters at sites of the agency’s choosing where hunters may dispose of carcasses. The bill offers $1 million in the 2025-27 fiscal biennium for disposal sites. The bill also provides $500,000 in the 2025-27 biennium for the DNR to provide education to hunters about CWD and the importance of proper carcass disposal.

In a video presentation on the bills, Smith said CWD is making a “slow, inevitable spread up to the Chippewa Valley.”

“Without prevention, CWD will spread faster, kill more deer and threaten our ability to preserve Wisconsin’s deer hunting legacy,” Smith said. “If passed, this legislation would strengthen CWD research, testing and disposal efforts.” 

A Smith aide said all three bills are out for co-sponsorship. Their authors hope they will go to committee hearings soon. 

Jacobson represents the 50th Assembly District, which encompasses Green County and parts of Dane and Rock counties.

Smith serves the 31st Senate District that includes all of Eau Claire County and portions of Chippewa, Dunn, and Trempealeau counties.