Arkansas Wildlife Podcast Ep.99: Deer Health and Conservation: Tackling Chronic Wasting Disease

Host Trey Reid talks with AGFC Conservation Support Division Chief Cory Gray and Wildlife Health Biologist A.J. Riggs about chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Arkansas. They discuss the two new counties for the 2026-2027 season (Grant and Sevier) and how the detections will effects hunters this season. They summarize a five-year research project (2020–2025) in Newton county with the University of Georgia, SCWDS, and Colorado State University, concluding CWD can drive deer population declines, with about 34% of monitored deer deaths attributed to CWD alone and a projected annual population loss of 14% in the study area. New Deer Zone 2 regulations aim to protect more females and stabilize herds. They explain Arkansas’ voluntary, free whitetail testing program (mandatory for elk), freezer and taxidermy sample networks, carcass transport rules, baiting/feeding restrictions, and efforts to contain spread while encouraging hunters to keep hunting and get deer tested.