Oklahoma activates response plan following new CWD detection 

Mule deer. (Photo by Acton Crawford via Unsplash.)

A hunter-harvested mule deer in Cimarron County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, prompting the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to activate its response plan developed with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. 

The infected deer was harvested about 3.5 miles west of Felt, near the site where a CWD-positive deer was confirmed in 2024. Wildlife officials said the agency will continue operating within the existing Selective Surveillance Area in Cimarron County, with no expansion planned. 

“The CWD Response Plan dictates that we respond to this finding by establishing a Selective Surveillance Area,” said Joey McAllister, wildlife programs supervisor with ODWC. 

Because the latest case was detected close to the previous one, the current surveillance boundaries will remain unchanged. McAllister said the agency will continue implementing response measures aimed at maintaining healthy deer populations while minimizing impacts on hunters and landowners. 

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological illness that affects deer, elk, moose, and other cervids. The disease damages brain tissue, creating a sponge-like appearance. Transmission to humans or livestock has not been documented. 

Oklahoma confirmed its first case of CWD in a wild deer in June 2023 in neighboring Texas County. The wildlife department has conducted monitoring of hunter-harvested deer and elk, as well as road-killed deer, since 1999. 

Officials said monitoring efforts will continue statewide, and additional guidance for hunters may be issued, if needed, to support detection and management efforts. 

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].