Hunters in Michigan should be aware of a new chronic wasting disease (CWD) detection in the state’s wild deer population. Wildlife officials from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed that a deer harvested by a hunter in Clement Township, Gladwin County recently tested positive for CWD, making it the first known case in that county and the 18th Michigan county with confirmed CWD in wild deer.
The positive result was verified by the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and a secondary confirmation is pending at the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa — a step routinely performed for official verification.
What This Means for Hunters
This detection signals continued geographic expansion of CWD across Michigan’s deer range. Hunters who harvest deer in Gladwin County and surrounding areas are strongly encouraged to submit samples for CWD testing and adhere to best practices when field-dressing or processing animals. State officials remind hunters that free testing resources and self-sample kits are available throughout Michigan to help track the spread of CWD.
CWD poses no confirmed risk to human health, and hunters have not reported any human infections from consuming venison. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against eating meat from infected animals as a precaution and recommends safe handling practices during field care and processing.
CWD in Michigan: A Short Overview
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disorder affecting cervids such as white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. Caused by misfolded proteins called prions, CWD progressively deteriorates the animal’s nervous system, leading to weight loss, abnormal behavior, and ultimately death.
Michigan’s CWD history:
- CWD was first detected in wild deer in Michigan in 2015.
- Through ongoing DNR surveillance and hunter-submitted testing, the disease has gradually spread into multiple counties. Before the recent Gladwin County case, 17 counties had reported positive wild deer, including Genesee, Allegan, Washtenaw, Mecosta, and others.
- In addition to wild deer, CWD has been identified in farmed cervid facilities in counties such as Osceola, indicating the disease’s presence beyond free-ranging populations.
CWD tends to spread slowly across the landscape, often with low prevalence in newly affected areas. Because early cases can be hard to detect, hunters’ participation in voluntary testing and reporting of unusually behaving deer remains critical to tracking and management efforts.
Hunter Takeaways
- Submit deer for CWD testing, especially in counties newly affected by CWD or those nearby.
- Use safe field-dressing practices — wear gloves, avoid contact with brain and spinal tissues, and wash up thoroughly.
- Dispose of carcasses appropriately to minimize environmental contamination and potential spread.
- Stay informed about CWD surveillance efforts and updates from the Michigan DNR as the disease continues to evolve geographically.
