A Deadly Threat in Our Woods: Public Meeting to Address Chronic Wasting Disease in Local Deer
By Carol A. Gasser Moore |
LAKELAND, Lanier County, Georgia – The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 21 in the Lanier County High School auditorium to discuss recent cases of deer infected with chronic wasting disease in Lanier and Berrien counties. Officials are urging residents, hunters, landowners and community members to attend.
The meeting follows confirmation of Georgia’s first case of chronic wasting disease in January, when a deer harvested along the Lanier-Berrien county line tested positive. In April, a second infected deer was confirmed in Berrien County during surveillance efforts.
What is chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease, or CWD, is a fatal neurological illness that affects deer, elk and moose. It is caused by misfolded proteins called prions that damage the brain and nervous system, leading to weight loss, disorientation and death.
The disease has been documented in 36 states and three Canadian provinces, but the January case marked Georgia’s first. Since then, the Department of Natural Resources has established a CWD management area covering Lanier and Berrien counties.
Community role in the response
At the Aug. 21 meeting, wildlife officials will present information on:
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The scope of CWD in south Georgia
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Safety guidance for hunters and families
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Proper carcass disposal methods
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DNR’s ongoing surveillance and management plan
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How landowners and hunters can assist with monitoring efforts
Dr. Tina Johannsen, assistant chief of the Wildlife Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources, emphasized that while the discovery is serious, deer hunting remains safe.
“We have confirmed CWD in Georgia, but together with hunters and citizens, we can manage this and keep our deer herds healthy,” Johannsen said.
Why it matters
Deer hunting is both a tradition and an economic driver in south Georgia. Officials warn that the spread of CWD threatens wildlife conservation and the region’s outdoor heritage.
Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting, ask questions and learn how they can help stop the spread of the disease.
For more information about chronic wasting disease, visit gadnr.org/cwd.
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