Wisconsin
DNR Announces Primary Results Of Southwest Wisconsin CWD, Deer And Predator Study
MADISON, Wis. (WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today presented the primary results of the Southwest Wisconsin Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Deer and Predator Study to the Natural Resources Board (NRB). A recording of the NRB meeting, including this presentation, is available on the DNR’s YouTube channel.
The purpose of this study was to determine how CWD impacts deer populations. This involved estimating deer survival rates and how they were influenced by CWD.
Fieldwork for this project took place in northern Iowa, Dane and Grant counties. This area was selected for study as it is the region where CWD was first detected in Wisconsin in 2002 and has maintained a high CWD prevalence in the years since.
As part of this study, over 1,200 animals (adult deer, fawns, coyotes and bobcats) were captured, 766 GPS collars were deployed on adult deer and 323 radio tracking collars were placed on deer fawns.
Results
Scientists analyzed data from the sample of collared adult white-tailed deer in order to estimate the differences in annual survival (the probability of surviving from one year to the next) between CWD-infected and uninfected deer. Annual survival estimates are listed in the table below.
Annual Survival Probability
FEMALES
- UNINFECTED: 83%
- CWD-INFECTED: 41%
MALES
- UNINFECTED: 69%
- CWD-INFECTED: 17%
These figures indicate that CWD is substantially reducing the annual survival probability of both male and female white-tailed deer. Reduced female survival lowers the growth rate of the population, and when sufficiently suppressed, may result in population decline.
Specifically, results from this study indicate that when the CWD prevalence rates of females surpasses about 29%, deer populations are expected to begin declining.
Implications
The key takeaways from these results are:
- CWD substantially reduces deer survival rates and suppresses population growth.
- Where CWD prevalence is high, deer populations are likely declining.
- CWD will eventually impact deer populations elsewhere if it continues to spread and increase in prevalence.
If CWD continues to spread and its prevalence continues to increase, populations will likely face further declines. The exact degree of these declines, however, will depend on local harvest and recruitment rates. It is important to note here that researchers do not expect CWD-affected deer herds to become extirpated (completely eliminated in a given area), as deer populations have a strong ability to increase reproduction when deer abundance is lower, due to less competition for food, space and other resources.
The public can learn more about these results by visiting the study’s results webpage.
Looking Forward
It should be noted that the results presented here are the primary findings of the Southwest Wisconsin CWD Deer And Predator Study. Although the scope of this study provides us with a rich dataset from which we can continue to learn about our deer herd and CWD’s impact, there are sure to be more results to come as analysis continues. Additional findings will continue to be released to the public as completed.
To stay informed about these announcements and results from additional analyses on topics like movement, habitat use and predator survival rates, subscribe to the Field Notes Newsletter.
PRESS RELEASE: DNR Announces Primary Results Of Southwest Wisconsin CWD, Deer And Predator Study | Wisconsin DNR
Copyright 2025 WEAU. All rights reserved.
WISCONSIN — Gov. Tony Evers announced on Tuesday he’s lowering the lead poisoning threshold in the state.
The emergency rule would lower it from 5 micrograms per deciliter to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter, according to the release.
It puts the state more in line with recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states intervention in lead poisoning cases should be taken at 3.5 micrograms per deciliter.
By adjusting the threshold, it will also help more kids and families get access to services for lead poisoning.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, there were at least 3,272 kids between Nov. 2021 and Feb. 2024 who were affected by lead poisoning that didn’t receive intervention services. That’s because their exposure — between 3.5 and 4.9 micrograms per 100 milliliters of blood — did not meet the definitions of lead poisoning or exposure in the previous threshold.
Another 1,400 kids are expected to have this same level of lead in 2025, DHS estimates. Now, under the new rule, they’ll be able to get assistance.
Evers said he will also direct $6.2 million in his 2025-27 Executive Budget to support lead poisoning efforts through grants to local health departments.
Lead poisoning exposure can have long-term consequences for children, including on their ability to pay attention as well as their learning capacity, according to the CDC. A 2019 study revealed that even low levels of lead exposure during early childhood can affect reading and math scores, with additional schooling “not sufficient” enough to offset this damage.
“There is no safe level of lead exposure for kids,” Evers said in his State of the State address last week.
Evers also announced more funding to combat PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. He said he’ll direct another $5 million in federal funds to the expanded Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Program, created in 2022 to support “replacement, reconstruction, treatment, or abandonment of contaminated private wells.”
The Department of Natural Resources has so far awarded over $9 million to 684 grantees. It has allowed the 393 contaminated wells to be replaced, another 106 to be treated, 182 unused and abandoned wells to be sealed and more.
Grant funding for the next $5 million will open up on Feb. 3, 2025. To find out if you’re eligible, you can take a questionnaire online, here. You can apply, here.
A study by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health found that most Wisconsin residents have PFAS in their bodies. The substances can be found in fire-suppressing foam, nonstick pans and more.
“If we want our kids to bring their full and best selves to our classrooms, elected officials have to start acknowledging how policy decisions and investments—or lack thereof—here in this building affect kids, families, schools, and communities across Wisconsin every day. …” said Evers at his State of the State address.
Wisconsin, led by first-year position coach Kenny Guiton, offered Trae Taylor on Jan. 10.
On Monday, the four-star quarterback in the 2027 recruiting class took an unofficial visit with the Badgers. Taylor, from Carmel Catholic in Illinois, previously camped with the Badgers and visited for a game at Camp Randall in October of 2023.
If the Wisconsin women are going to right the ship, they are going to need to get going in a hurry.
Coming off an eighth straight loss, the Badgers (10-10, 1-8) welcome in Michigan on Wednesday.
The good news for Wisconsin is they play three of the next four at home. The bad news, though, is those include matchups with recently ranked Michigan and national title contender USC.
Troubles continued for the Badgers over the weekend, as they were blown out at Minnesota by 21 points. They have not had a game decided by less than 10 since a December 31 loss to Minnesota by nine.
Michigan (14-6, 5-4) saw its four-game win streak come to an end at the hands of Michigan State, 88-58. They topped Minnesota by five during the run and are led by Olivia Olson, who averages just under 16 points per game.
The ESPN BPI gives Michigan a 93 percent chance to win the game.
Here are details on how to watch Wisconsin vs. Michigan on Wednesday, Jan. 29:
Who: Wisconsin vs. Michigan in Big Ten Conference women’s basketball action
When: 6:30 p.m CT | Wednesday, January 29
Where: Kohl Center | Madison, Wisconsin
Live Stream: Stream Wisconsin vs. Michigan live on fuboTV (Start your free trial)
TV Channel: BIG+
Our Prediction: Michigan 74, Wisconsin 60
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