Wisconsin disease risk map.
Wisconsin confirmed its first wild CWD detection in 2002 in Dane County, becoming one of the first eastern states with established CWD. WI DNR runs free CWD testing and one of the country's most extensive surveillance programs. Most positive counties are in southern Wisconsin.
Disease detections, management zones, and transport rules change. Cross-reference this page with Wisconsin DNR and the USDA APHIS distribution map before relying on it for hunting decisions.
CWD detection timeline
From first publicly-reported detection to the most recent year on record. Verify current detection counts with Wisconsin DNR.
Wisconsin county detections
19 counties with seeded CWD records. The agency may have additional positive counties — verify before each hunt.
| County | FIPS | First / Recent | Source | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane County | 55025 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Iowa County | 55049 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Sauk County | 55111 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Richland County | 55103 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Grant County | 55043 | 2002 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Lafayette County | 55065 | 2003 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Green County | 55045 | 2003 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Walworth County | 55127 | 2008 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Rock County | 55105 | 2007 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Columbia County | 55021 | 2009 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Adams County | 55001 | 2010 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Juneau County | 55057 | 2010 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Marathon County | 55073 | 2017 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Portage County | 55097 | 2017 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Waupaca County | 55135 | 2018 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Eau Claire County | 55035 | 2018 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Washburn County | 55129 | 2018 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Lincoln County | 55069 | 2019 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
| Oneida County | 55085 | 2018 / 2024 | Agency → | Estimated — verify |
County pages
Carcass transport rules
If hunting in a CWD-positive area, follow your state agency's carcass transport rules — most agencies prohibit moving whole carcasses with brain or spinal tissue across designated zone boundaries. Verify the current rules with your state wildlife agency before transporting any harvest.
CWD testing
Most state wildlife agencies offer free or low-cost CWD testing of harvested deer at check stations or sample-drop locations during season. Contact the state agency for current testing locations and turnaround times.
EHD activity in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has historically experienced occasional EHD activity. EHD is a viral disease transmitted by Culicoides midges and is not transmissible to humans — meat from EHD-affected deer is safe to consume per state agency guidance. Outbreak years correlate with hot, dry conditions; localized die-offs can reduce hunting opportunity for a season but do not persist year to year the way CWD does.
Hunter FAQ — Wisconsin
Is it safe to eat deer harvested in Wisconsin?
Are there carcass transport restrictions in Wisconsin?
How do I get a deer tested for CWD in Wisconsin?
How often does Wisconsin get hit by EHD?
Where does Wisconsin's CWD/EHD data come from?
- Wisconsin DNR — CWD →
- Wisconsin DNR — EHD →
- USDA APHIS CWD Distribution Map →
- National Deer Association EHD Tracker →
Disease information is summarized for hunter awareness only. Always cross-reference with the state agency for legal, regulatory, and current-detection data.
Track herd health on your land.
Statewide disease maps tell you what to expect in general. Bield: Hunt logs every sick or recovered deer you find on your specific property — and surfaces patterns across seasons that would otherwise live in your camera roll and your memory.