Elk City, OK — State Rep. Nick Archer says a lack of coordination and follow-through between state agencies has led to the release of captive-raised deer into the wild without a formal program or scientific framework in place.
Speaking on “Today in Ag with Jimmy Clark,” Archer discussed House Bill 3462, also known as the Chronic Wasting Disease Act, passed in 2024 with near-unanimous support. The legislation aimed to explore genetic resistance in deer to combat chronic wasting disease, commonly referred to as CWD.
According to Archer, the bill directed the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to collect at least 1,000 deer samples and develop a structured study. The goal was to identify genetic traits that could make deer more resistant to CWD and other diseases such as EHD and blue tongue.
“The intent was to build a scientific program first,” Archer said. “Then determine if and when releasing genetically favorable animals would make sense.”
However, Archer claims that process never materialized.
Instead, he said between two and six captive-raised deer have already been released into the wild despite no formal study, rules, or oversight program being established.
Archer attributes the breakdown to what he described as “inaction” by the Wildlife Department, which he says failed to complete required sample collection and did not analyze genetic data already in its possession.
“At one point, they had the data for a month and couldn’t answer basic questions about it,” Archer said.
He also alleged conflict between the two agencies, stating the Agriculture Department’s efforts to develop rules were halted after the Wildlife Department threatened legal action.
The situation has raised concerns among landowners and outdoorsmen, particularly regarding how released deer would be tracked or regulated. Archer noted that currently, there are no rules requiring testing for diseases like EHD or blue tongue prior to release.
“There are no rules. There is no formal study. And these animals are already out there,” he said.
The original legislation was designed to provide an alternative to traditional “depopulation” methods used when CWD is detected, which often involve eliminating entire herds within a defined radius.
Archer said he believes relying solely on depopulation is not a long-term solution and that emerging science suggests selective breeding for natural genetic resistance could strengthen herds over time.
Still, he emphasized that any such approach must be guided by data and a structured program.
“We need the study before we move forward with something like this,” Archer said.
As for next steps, Archer said new legislation this session aims to shift responsibility entirely to the Agriculture Department, citing more productive discussions on how a regulated program could be implemented. Potential measures could include radio tracking, regional guidelines, and genetic benchmarks for participation.
While western Oklahoma currently maintains a healthy deer population, Archer noted that conditions vary across the state, and any long-term solution must account for those differences.
“We can’t assume all 77 counties are the same,” he said.
The issue remains under debate at the Capitol as lawmakers, agencies, and stakeholders continue to weigh the balance between science, conservation, and policy.
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