Jul 23, 2026BoardMeeting
BoardMississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Commission Commission Meeting
The commission held an educational session regarding whitetail deer and chronic wasting disease (CWD). The discussion included a review of national and state-level research on CWD, focusing on prevalence trends, population impacts, and transmission risks, particularly concerning live cervid movement. The session highlighted the necessity of proactive management efforts before the disease reaches a 5% prevalence threshold, as population declines have been observed at higher levels. Additionally, updates were provided on the expansion of CWD in Mississippi, with positive detections now recorded across multiple counties, and the commission emphasized the role of hunters in managing deer populations through harvest.