Committee advances pilot to test deer genetics for CWD resiliency; some sportsmen and wildlife groups oppose potential releases

The House Natural Resources Committee advanced House Bill 14‑17, a bill that would authorize a DNR pilot program to collect genetic samples from wild white‑tailed deer to establish a baseline of genetic markers linked to chronic wasting disease (CWD) resiliency.

Representative Morris, sponsor of the bill, said current sampling focuses only on positive/negative CWD tests and that the proposed pilot would add genetic testing to identify markers associated with greater or lesser susceptibility. “The state of Indiana needs better data from our wild deer population,” Morris said, adding that test costs are estimated at about $75 per sample, a figure provided by LSA and consistent with commercial testing fees cited in testimony.

Dr. Seabury, a veterinarian and population geneticist from Texas A&M, testified that genetic variation influences susceptibility to prion diseases, and presented a predictive system he said identified CWD‑positive animals in blind validation testing with USDA APHIS. He told the committee genetic screening and selective breeding had been implemented elsewhere and argued a genetic baseline would create options beyond surveillance, which he said currently lacks long‑term intervention strategies.

Opponents — including the Hoosier Environmental Council, Indiana Wildlife Federation, Indiana Sportsman’s Roundtable and multiple hunting and conservation groups — urged caution. They said Indiana’s wild herd density and landscape differ from states cited by the bill’s scientific proponents; several speakers warned that releasing farmed deer or otherwise manipulating wild genetics could increase environmental prion load, change herd genetics or produce unforeseen outcomes. Indiana Wildlife Federation noted the state’s deer population density and economic value to hunting and questioned whether surveillance funding and DNR capacity should be diverted to a genetic pilot.

Department officials told the committee implementation costs are a concern. Chris Smith of DNR said his agency estimates sample testing at about $75 per test and that several thousand samples would likely be required to establish a statewide baseline; DNR said staff time and testing costs would create a fiscal impact and said the agency planned follow‑up discussions with the sponsor about costs and implementation.

Representative Morris offered and the committee adopted an amendment removing any mandatory release program; under the amendment a certified release program would be optional and subject to stringent guidance and rulemaking by the Board of Animal Health and DNR.

The committee voted the bill out as amended. The transcript records a roll call with a tally of nine yes, one no and three excused; Representative Yoakum recorded the single recorded “nay” on the roll call published in the transcript excerpt.