LITTLE ROCK, AR (KATV) — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission confirmed on Tuesday, December 19, that white-tailed deer from Grant and Sevier counties have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).
Two hunter-harvested deer from Grant Co. were identified through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The results were confirmed positive after a more thorough test was performed by the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Madison last week.
One of the deer was a two-and-a-half-year-old buck taken southwest of Sheridan. The second deer, a three-and-a-half-year-old buck, was killed by a hunter near Grapevine.
One hunter harvested a four-and-a-half-year-old buck that tested positive in Sevier County.
CWD-positive deer found in Grant and Sevier counties (PHOTO: AGFC)
AGFC says these are the first confirmed cases in these counties and the source of the infections is unknown.
The nearest known positive case in Arkansas to the new cases is more than 80 miles away.
AGFC Chief of Research Division Cory Gray said the hunters have been notified and arrangements are being made to dispose of the meat.
“We are stepping up surveillance efforts in these two counties and are asking for hunters’ help by submitting any harvested deer in these areas to one of our CWD testing locations,” Gray said.
“In keeping with the AGFC’s CWD Management and Response Plan, we will not change any regulations regarding these findings before the end of the 2025-26 deer hunting season.”
A list of CWD-testing facilities is available here.