A 3-year-old buck harvested in Adams County has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. DNR area wildlife supervisor Kris Johansen said the agency has been collecting samples in the county, given its proximity to the south central Wisconsin core of infection and to CWD-positive deer on a former captive deer farm in the area.
“This is the first time that we’ve had a deer from the wild herd test positive in Adams County,” said Johansen. “We have done surveillance in the past, but this is the first time that we’ve detected a positive animal.” The deer was harvested in north-central Adams County, 38 miles north of nearest known CWD-positive wild deer and about 25 miles from the former captive deer farm that had been infected.
Johansen said the animal was one of 72 taken in the county to be tested for CWD, and the agency is awaiting more results. At this time there are no plans to add Adams County to the core CWD zone. “We’ll be talking within the agency and also involving the public, as to how we’re going to move forward,” Johansen said.