Chronic Wasting Disease Discovered in Four More Illinois Counties

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recently confirmed CWD in four new counties: Adams, Marshall, Putnam, and Peoria. That brings the total to 25 infected counties across the state of Illinois. Unfortunately, this marks a significant change in the disease's status, as it was found outside the known CWD zone. Adams County now marks the southernmost confirmed case to date.

So, what exactly is CWD? It’s a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer. Think of it like mad cow disease, but for deer. It slowly eats away at the brain and nervous system, leading to extreme weight loss, strange behavior, and eventually death. There’s no cure, and once it’s in the environment, it sticks around in the soil and spreads through saliva, urine, and feces.

As a hunter, that’s concerning. Not just because of the long-term impact on the deer population, but because the meat from a CWD-positive deer is said not to be safe to eat. While the CDC and World Health Organization haven’t found proof that the disease can infect humans, they strongly recommend not consuming meat from infected animals. This is especially the case with brain, spinal cord, and lymph tissue where the infected prions are held.

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If you hunt in any of the affected counties, including the newest ones like Adams or Peoria, you should get your harvested deer tested. IDNR offers free sampling locations, and results help them track and manage the disease.

In fact, Illinois has been ahead of the game for over 20 years, keeping CWD levels relatively low compared to other states. Their strategy focuses on early detection and localized population control, which is why your participation matters.

The Illinois DNR is also planning public meetings later this year to go over current management strategies and answer questions. If you hunt or own land in one of the impacted areas, it’s worth attending.

Bottom line? CWD isn’t just a science issue, it’s a hunter’s issue. I like to hunt and I like my deer jerky. Keeping up to date, testing your deer, and working with conservation agencies helps protect the future of hunting, not just in Illinois, but the Tri-State area as a whole.