Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, emerging disease of cervids associated 
with transmissible protease-resistant prion proteins. The potential for CWD to 
cause dramatic declines in deer and elk populations and perceived human health 
risks associated with consuming CWD-contaminated venison have led wildlife 
agencies to embark on extensive CWD control programs, typically involving 
culling to reduce deer populations. We characterized the spatial distribution of 
CWD in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Wisconsin to facilitate CWD 
management. We found that CWD prevalence declined with distance from a central 
location, was locally correlated at a scale of 3.6 km, and was correlated with 
deer habitat abundance. The latter result is consistent with patterns expected 
for a positive relationship between density and prevalence of CWD. We recommend 
management activities focused on culling in geographic areas with high 
prevalence to have the greatest probability of removing infected individuals. 
Further research is needed to elucidate the factors involved in CWD spread and 
infection rates, especially the role of density-dependent transmission.