How to Prevent Chronic Wasting Disease at Deer Feeders During Hunting Season

During hunting season, you have a short window to hunt deer, which is why it's important to prepare and scout the ideal location properly. One of the best ways to attract deer to a specific area is by using a gravity or automatic feeder. At the same time, this may seem like a good option, but using feeders or troughs carries the risk of spreading disease. The most common one is the Chronic Wasting Disease, also known as "Zombie Deer Disease". Learning how to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and other illnesses when using feeders is essential for the health of the deer population and the success of your hunting season.

According to the National Park Service, wasting disease in deer is a prion disease, a unique family of diseases caused by a malformed protein. It affects animals in the cervid family, including deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. The malformed prion protein accumulates in the brain and other tissues, causing neurological symptoms, emaciation, and death. Once clinical signs are observed, the disease is always fatal.

Prions are shed in saliva, urine, feces, blood, and antler velvet, even by infected animals that are not yet showing symptoms. Carcasses are also contagious. The disease is transmitted both through direct contact with infected animals and indirectly through contaminated environments, such as feeders or soil. There is currently no vaccine or treatment available for CWD.

Spotting CWD in deer isn't easy at first, since infected animals may appear healthy for months or even years. However, as the disease progresses, certain signs become more apparent. If you’re wondering how to tell if a deer has Chronic Wasting Disease, watch for these key symptoms:

• Severe weight loss or emaciation
• Drooping head or ears
• Excessive salivation or drooling
• Lack of fear of humans or unusual behavior
• Unsteady gait or staggering movements
• Dull coat and a generally unhealthy appearance

Because these signs can resemble other illnesses, testing by wildlife authorities is the only way to confirm CWD. Hunters and landowners are encouraged to report any deer showing these symptoms to local wildlife management agencies for testing and monitoring.

A CWD management zone is a specific area where the wasting disease has been detected in wild or captive cervids, or where there is a high risk of occurrence. State and wildlife agencies establish these zones to monitor and contain the spread of the disease. Within these areas, additional regulations are often implemented, affecting hunting practices, baiting, feeding, and transportation of deer carcasses. To find out whether your area falls within a CWD management zone, check with your state's wildlife or natural resources agency.

To reduce the risk of disease, maintaining feeder hygiene is critical. Disinfect feeders every two weeks using a 10% bleach solution. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry before refilling. Feed that is wet, sprouted, or moldy should be discarded immediately, as moisture can lead to the growth of harmful fungi like aflatoxins. A 6-to-1 bleach solution can help prevent fungal contamination in corn.

Additionally, food and waste that fall under the feeder can attract rodents and other wildlife. To mitigate this, keep the area surrounding the feeder clean and dry. Use only as much feed as deer will consume within 48 hours to avoid spoilage. Moving your feeder at least 20 feet every few months can also help prevent disease-causing agents, including prions, from building up in one location.

Deer naturally prefer to spread out while feeding, but feeders often force them to congregate in tight areas, increasing the likelihood of direct contact and disease transmission. One solution is to use multiple gravity or automatic feeders spaced apart to distribute the deer more evenly. If you have bird feeders on your property, place them at least 60 inches off the ground to prevent access by deer and bears. It's also wise to keep all feeders away from roads and property lines to reduce the risk of nuisance behavior or car accidents involving deer.

Always check your local and state baiting regulations, especially if you are in a CWD management zone. Lastly, report any deer that appear sick or exhibit signs of CWD, such as emaciation, excessive drooling, or loss of fear of humans, to your local wildlife agency.

While using a feeder during hunting season has its benefits, some alternatives can reduce the spread of disease:

• Food Plots: A food plot is a great way to offer food that is native to the region in a larger space that reduces the close contact associated with feeders.
• Non-edible Attractants: Consider attractants that do not involve consuming feed, like deer urine lures, scent wicks, or rattling antlers. Just make sure they are legal in your area.
• Native Forage: Encourage the growth of natural food sources such as oaks, crabapples, and other mast-producing trees and shrubs.
• Use Mineral Sites: If legal in your area, you can use trace mineral and salt sites. These still concentrate deer and should be managed carefully. Elevating the food source helps reduce soil-borne contamination.

CWD and other diseases, including harmful fungi, can spread quickly if feeders are not handled properly. Keep feeders and the area around them clean and dry, and move them regularly to prevent contamination. Place feeders away from roads and areas frequented by people. Most importantly, consider using alternatives like food plots and native forage to reduce reliance on feeders and help mitigate the spread of disease. Thoughtful planning and proper practices can make a meaningful difference in protecting deer populations during hunting season.