Deer Hunters May Think It’s CWD When It’s Not

 

 

Understanding Late-Season Thinness in Does and Why Misdiagnosis Matters

Thin Doesn’t Always Mean Sick

In Missouri’s CWD Management Zones, hunters are trained to watch for signs of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): emaciation, drooling, stumbling, and abnormal behavior. But what happens when a healthy doe nursing twin fawns shows visible thinness? Too often, she’s misread as diseased and that misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary panic, poor harvest decisions, or even false reporting.

healthy looking doe deer and nursing fawn


The Reality of Late-Season Nursing

Does that give birth late in the season especially to twins face intense metabolic strain. Their bodies prioritize milk production, often at the expense of fat reserves. This can result in:

  • Prominent ribs and hips
  • A drawn face and lean frame
  • Increased grazing on ornamentals and garden plants
  • Alert, responsive behavior despite thinness

These are signs of maternal depletion, not a CWD .

 Behavior Is the Key

Hunters should observe more than just body condition. A doe with CWD will often:

  • Stumble or isolate herself
  • Show neurological signs
  • Lose fear of humans entirely

In contrast, a thin but healthy doe will:

  • Remain alert and protective
  • Move with purpose
  • Respond to scent and sound cues

🧾 Why Misdiagnosis Matters

False assumptions about CWD can lead to: Unnecessary harvests of healthy does Misinformation in community forums Distrust in wildlife management strategies Missed opportunities to educate the public and abandoned late season fawns that need their mother to survive the winter

In zones like Joplin, where urban hunting intersects with disease optics, accuracy matters. Hunters must learn to distinguish between natural maternal strain and actual disease risk.

🧪 What Hunters Can Do

  • Observe behavior before assuming disease
  • Report only when neurological signs are present
  • Support mandatory testing during bow season
  • Educate others about seasonal strain and herd dynamics

🧢 Closing Reflection

Not every thin deer is sick. In fact, many are doing exactly what nature intended nursing, surviving, and adapting. In a CWD zone, vigilance matters. But so does discernment.

Let’s make sure hunters know the difference.