Second positive case of chronic wasting disease confirmed in Indiana Friday, February 21, 2025 The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed Indiana’s second positive case of chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD is a neurological disease that affects deer, resulting in their eventual death. The positive, wild white-tailed deer was a 2.5-year-old male harvested in Posey County. CWD has been detected in wild deer in 36 states, including all states bordering Indiana. During the 2025-2026 deer hunting season, DNR will enhance its surveillance efforts in Posey County and the surrounding counties to determine the extent of disease in this area. This will allow biologists to develop a targeted response based on the prevalence of CWD in this part of Indiana. CWD testing will be voluntary for hunters in this area.
I see where there is an Idea/plan/ State bill (not sure if its DNR) to 'genetically' modify captured deer to be resistant to CWD and then release them to the wild ..... yea, just what could go wrong ... INDIANA SENATE BILL No. 32 DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL Citations Affected: IC 14-22-34.5. Synopsis: Prevention of chronic wasting disease. Requires the department of natural resources to establish a pilot program to combat chronic wasting disease in deer. Sec. 4. Not later than December 31, 2025, the department shall establish the chronic wasting disease pilot program to enhance the genetic durability of Indiana's white-tailed deer population. Sec. 5. The department shall do the following: (1) Collect DNA samples to establish a baseline of average genetic codon markers and genomic breeding values for native, free-range Indiana white-tailed deer. (2) Establish a testing location for DNA samples collected from native, free-range Indiana white-tailed deer. (3) Create andoperate a captive breedingprogramfor native, free-range Indiana white-tailed deer that: (A) identifies white-tailed deer genetically resistant to chronic wasting disease by assigning white tailed deer a genomically estimated breeding value (GEBV); (B) breeds the genetically resistant white-tailed deer to increase the population's genetic resistance to chronic wasting disease; and (C) releases the bred female and male white-tailed deer between February and April 2027. (4) Take any additional action necessary to establish and operate the pilot program. Sec. 6.(a) The department may sell white-tailed deer bred from the pilot program for five hundred dollars ($500) per deer. (b) The departmentshall notsell more than fifty percent (50%) of the bred white-tailed deer from the pilot program. Sec. 7. Funds collected from the sale of white-tailed deer bred from the pilot program shall be deposited in the fish and wildlife fund. Sec. 8. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter. Sec. 9. This chapter expires January 1, 2028. https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0032/SB0032.01.INTR.pdf https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/32/details
