Louisiana Task Force Gathers to Address Chronic Wasting Disease Threat

The Louisiana Legislature's task force on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) convened on September 4, 2025, to address the growing concerns surrounding this wildlife disease. The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including landowners, wildlife biologists, and agricultural representatives, all united in their commitment to tackle CWD's impact on the state's deer population and hunting community.

The task force members introduced themselves, highlighting their backgrounds and expertise. Among them were Tom, a timber industry veteran managing 800,000 acres for recreational use, and Kimbal Segura, a landowner from Catahoula Parish. Their participation underscores the importance of collaboration between various sectors in addressing wildlife health issues.

The meeting's primary focus was to provide an overview of CWD, a disease that has recently been detected in Louisiana, starting in Tinsall Parish and spreading to Catahoula. The task force aims to centralize efforts to understand and manage the disease, which poses a significant threat to deer populations and, by extension, the hunting industry that many Louisianans rely on for recreation and income.

As the task force delves deeper into the implications of CWD, they are expected to develop strategies for monitoring and controlling its spread. This initiative is crucial not only for wildlife conservation but also for safeguarding the livelihoods of those involved in hunting and land management across the state.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing collaboration and information sharing among task force members, emphasizing the need for a united front in the fight against CWD. As the situation evolves, the task force's actions will be pivotal in shaping Louisiana's response to this emerging wildlife health crisis.