It was one of those evenings when you just feel like something good is about to happen. While I would have obviously taken a shot opportunity on a mature buck if presented, my focus was punching an antlerless deer tag and filling my empty freezer at the same time. I was set up on one of my favorite spots, and my cameras revealed good deer activity the previous several evenings. I had the right wind, and the deer hadn’t been pressured. I was confident it was going to be an exciting hunt.
Not long into the hunt, a mature doe and her fawn entered the small food plot. I watched her slowly work her way from my left to my right and eventually into easy bow range. I was particularly excited to see this deer because I had recent photos of her, and she didn’t look good. She was thin. Her ribcage was easily visible. My Pennsylvania land is in a chronic wasting disease (CWD) management area, and although there has never been a confirmed positive in my township, the photos had me concerned. Now the doe was calmly feeding in front of me. I was able to draw, take steady aim, and send my arrow on its way. The shot was true. The doe expired just a short distance away.
It was early in the hunt, and I had multiple antlerless tags. I tagged and field-dressed the doe before moving her out of sight, and I got back in my stand for the final hour of hunting. Not long after, several more does arrived, and one gave me an easy 20-yard shot. After a quick tracking job, I had my second deer of the evening secured. I immediately noticed this doe looked healthy, was plump, and was in far better physical condition than the first one. Regardless, my plan was to have both deer tested for CWD and take advantage of Pennsylvania’s no-cost option by depositing both heads in the nearby collection bins. Deer can be infected with CWD for up to two years before visible symptoms appear, so even perfectly healthy looking deer can have the disease. In this case, I had one that looked great and another, not so much.
I took the does to my local processor. Together we examined the carcasses once the hides were removed. The first doe I shot had no visible fat on her body and may not have survived the winter, while the other was in quite the opposite condition. While I was still a little nervous about the results of a CWD test, I reminded myself that deer can become ill for many reasons, and CWD was just one possibility. With that thought in mind, I submitted my samples and anxiously waited for the results.
Eight days later, the results were posted to my account on the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s CWD website. I was relieved that both samples came back “not detected” for CWD. Although I was still curious about why one deer was in such poor condition, at least I knew it wasn’t due to CWD. I also had the peace of mind knowing that the second doe I shot was safe to eat, and the state wildlife agency was able to gain important data as they work to track the disease.
All told, it probably only took an additional 30 minutes of my time to submit my deer for CWD testing, but it was well worth it. It has become as much a part of my regular routine when harvesting a deer as putting a tag on it. I encourage all hunters who hunt in CWD zones to get their deer tested, as it’s one of the easiest things you can do to help with CWD management, while also helping maintain healthy herds through harvest.
About CWD and Human Health Risks
Editor’s Note: The evidence remains strong that CWD in whitetails and elk is not causing disease among hunters who consume infected animals. Many studies reinforce the evidence for a strong species barrier. However, because scientific certainty is not 100%, and prion diseases are still not fully understood, experts continue to recommend CWD testing of all deer harvested in known CWD areas, and avoiding consumption of CWD-positive venison.