Chronic Wasting Disease is one of the most controversial topics in modern deer management. In this episode, Russell sits down with deer breeder and CWD researcher Tim Horton to unpack the science, the politics, and the real world implications surrounding CWD.What causes CWD to spread?Are current management strategies actually working?And could genetic resistance be the key to protecting wild deer herds?This conversation dives deep into the role of selective genetics, captive deer breeding, and how science is shaping the future of whitetail management. Russell and Tim discuss how resistant genotypes may influence herd survival, the differences between wild and captive testing, and why the conversation around CWD has become so heated among hunters, biologists, and policymakers.The discussion went longer than expected, so this episode has been split into two parts. Part 2 releases next week.If you care about the future of whitetail deer, hunting, and science based wildlife management, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.Subscribe for more conversations with hunters, scientists, conservationists, and outdoor leaders.Timmy Horton: https://www.facebook.com/TimmyHortonBass/0:00 Intro0:16 Welcome to the show8:58 CWD explained in simple terms16:41 Genetic resistance in whitetail deer20:27 Research and studies on CWD in Arkansas23:14 Deer populations and management challenges25:43 Scientific disagreements and study limitations31:50 Tim Horton background in captive deer breeding34:22 Testing and monitoring deer health36:06 Captive deer vs wild deer genetics38:11 Risk discussion and public perception of CWD41:43 State responses to CWD outbreaks42:01 Real world example from South Dakota elk wintering grounds#CWD #Hunting #Conservation #DeerHunting