CWD & EHD by county
Illinois disease risk map.
Illinois confirmed its first wild CWD detection in 2002 in northern Illinois. IL DNR runs one of the most aggressive CWD management programs in the country with sharpshooting in positive zones. The state offers free testing of harvested deer in CWD counties.
Confirm CWD management zones, sampling requirements, and carcass transport rules with Illinois Department of Natural Resources and USDA APHIS before hunting.
CWD detection timeline
CWD detection timeline
2000 – 2026
Illinois county detections
Where it's been found.
Counties below have CWD detection records on file. Click for the county-level page.
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 Illinois
Illinois sees frequent EHD outbreak history. EHD is not transmissible to humans, and meat from clinically healthy deer is safe to consume. Watch for the disease-specific signs reported by hunters and biologists in late summer.
Hunter FAQ
Common questions, Illinois.
Is CWD present in Illinois?+
Yes. Illinois has confirmed CWD detections since 2002. Verify current management-zone boundaries with Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
What are the Illinois 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.
How do I get CWD testing in Illinois?+
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.
How active is EHD in Illinois?+
Frequent EHD outbreak history. EHD is not transmissible to humans and meat from clinically healthy deer remains safe to consume.
Is venison from CWD or EHD-affected deer safe to eat?+
EHD is not transmissible to humans. For CWD, the CDC and major health agencies recommend that hunters test deer harvested from CWD-positive zones and not consume meat from animals that test positive. No human cases of CWD have been documented.
Primary sources
- CWD sourceIllinois Department of Natural Resources
- EHD sourceIllinois Department of Natural Resources
- FederalUSDA APHIS — Chronic Wasting Disease
- Hunter resourceNational Deer Association
Track herd health on your land.
State maps tell you the perimeter. Bield: Hunt records every observation, every recovery, every condition — so the trend on your land shows up before the agency reports do.
Start free trial →