Message from the FWC by Chairman Rodney Barreto

Chronic wasting disease detected in Florida

In June 2023, the FWC confirmed that a female white-tailed deer in Holmes County had tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). It is the first known case of CWD in Florida, a contagious disease of the brain and central nervous system that is always fatal to deer, elk, moose, and caribou. CWD is one of the most serious wildlife diseases facing state wildlife agencies across the country because it could substantially reduce infected deer populations.

Since CWD was first detected in Florida, the FWC has established a CWD Management Zone, regulations within that zone, and special hunting regulations in Hunting Zone D. The purpose of these regulations is to increase sampling and help protect Florida’s white-tailed deer population by reducing the potential spread of CWD within the CWD Management Zone and to other parts of the state.

Hunters play a critical role in managing this disease. By continuing to hunt, harvest, and submit samples for testing, hunters can help the FWC monitor for CWD. This will allow us to develop management actions to slow the spread of the disease. In addition, anyone can help with our CWD monitoring efforts by reporting any sick, abnormally thin deer or deer dead from unknown causes to the CWD hotline, which is 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282).

We encourage hunters to learn more about CWD, stay up to date on current regulations, and find no-cost sample testing locations by visiting MyFWC.com/CWD.