Learn about white-tailed deer in your classroom this fall!

Fall is a great time to incorporate wildlife into the classroom, especially a familiar species like Michigan’s state game mammal, the white-tailed deer.  The Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division is offering a new opportunity to learn about the white-tailed deer and a challenge it now faces here in Michigan.

The White-tailed Deer and Chronic Wasting Disease in Michigan presentation is currently being offered to middle school (sixth, seventh, and eighth grades) teachers in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia and Shiawassee counties. These five counties are the focus for offering this presentation because they currently make up the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone. 

Chronic wasting disease, or CWD, is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. It is caused by the transmission of infectious, self-multiplying proteins (prions) contained in saliva and other body fluids of infected animals. Susceptible animals can acquire CWD by direct exposure to these fluids, or from environments contaminated with these fluids or the carcass of a diseased animal. 

While this disease may have negative impacts on the deer population, it can provide a unique learning opportunity for students. CWD can demonstrate a limiting factor’s impact on a white-tailed deer population. Through this presentation, middle school students will get to learn first-hand about the essential components of habitat and the different factors that can influence a carrying capacity, and understand what CWD is and the potential impacts of this disease. Students will get to demonstrate population changes of a deer herd through a simulation activity and will chart the changes over time.

Teachers who want to take advantage of this learning opportunity and schedule a presentation for their classroom should contact Hannah Schauer, DNR wildlife education technician at 517-284-6218 or schauerh@michigan.gov.

The White-tailed Deer and Chronic Wasting Disease in Michigan presentation takes about an hour, but can be adjusted to fit class schedules. Presentations are free of charge, but are subject to staff availability and anticipated attendance. DNR wildlife programs and presentations are designed to meet Michigan educational standards, in addition to providing information about Michigan’s unique wildlife species.

The DNR is able to provide this, and other wildlife learning opportunities, through funding from hunting and fishing license fees.

More teacher resources, including additional wildlife education resources, can be found by visiting mi.gov/dnrteachers. 

To learn more about CWD, and for the latest Michigan news and updates, visit mi.gov/cwd. Additional white-tailed deer resources and hunting information can be found at mi.gov/deer.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.