# North American deer management and CWD surveillance

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-american-deer-management-and-cwd-surveillance
> Updated: 2026-09-24T18:18:39.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Regional wildlife authorities in Michigan, Ontario, and New York are implementing new management strategies and surveillance measures to address deer population balances and the potential spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

In Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources reported a trend of heavy antlered deer harvests and plans to implement a ‘One-Buck Rule’ in the Lower Peninsula by 2027 to encourage the maturity of younger bucks. Simultaneously, Ontario officials are requesting hunter-submitted samples from white-tailed deer to support CWD surveillance in southern and eastern regions, noting that while the disease is present in bordering areas, it has not been detected in Ontario wildlife.

In New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation has issued guidance for the 2026-2027 hunting season, strongly urging hunters to use synthetic attractant scents instead of natural deer urine to help prevent the transmission of CWD.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-24: New York State issues hunting guidance to prevent chronic wasting disease

New York's DEC is urging hunters to use synthetic scents instead of natural deer urine to help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease ahead of the 2026-2027 deer hunting season.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-state-issues-hunting-guidance-to-prevent-chronic-wasting-disease

### 2026-09-21: Michigan and Ontario implement deer management and surveillance

Wildlife officials in Michigan and Ontario are managing deer populations through harvest reports and chronic wasting disease surveillance programs during the upcoming hunting seasons.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michigan-and-ontario-implement-deer-management-and-surveillance

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Cite as: North American deer management and CWD surveillance. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-american-deer-management-and-cwd-surveillance
