How state agencies are managing chronic wasting disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects cervids. This research note described a U.S. national survey of ongoing management and communication efforts by state wildlife agencies in response to CWD. Questionnaires were distributed to all 50 states in 2020 (response rate = 76%, n = 38). States with CWD were predicted to differ from states with no known cases of this disease (independent variable). The dependent variables were all related to CWD: current and proposed surveillance, current practices, public involvement, survey research, and other communication forms. Across all 47 variables, the average percent difference between CWD and non-CWD states was 27%, all but seven comparisons were double-digit differences, and the overall average for the effect sizes was .30. Although the findings implied that CWD states were more engaged with the disease, non-CWD states need to recognize that the disease shows no signs of slowing down and will likely spread to most states.