Michigan Researchers Using GPS Tracking to Study Wasting Disease in Deer

20 Nov 2018

Researchers from Michigan State University have joined forces with the state’s Department of Natural Resources to conduct an ongoing study on the state’s population of deer. The project is being conducted around the Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center and MSU’s Boone areas.

Researchers hope to learn more about the 1.75 million white-tailed deer that live in Michigan. They want to learn more about chronic wasting disease and how the disease spreads.

According to expert analysis, about 16 percent of the deer in Michigan suffer from this condition. The researchers have decided to help curb the spread of this disease by studying how deer in the state move around. Researchers are utilizing precautions when dealing with the deer and testing each animal for the disease.

Last winter, 57 deer were fitted with GPS tracking collars. Each collar has a two-year battery, and it’s designed to provide detailed information about each deer’s movements to the research team every 30 minutes. Every 150 minutes, the locations are uploaded onto the researcher’s computers via satellite. The team hopes to tag at least 50 more deer with a GPS tracking device over the winter. The data gathered from this project will be used to guide state wildlife policies.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease that causes the degeneration of the animal’s brain. It is extremely contagious to other deer, and the disease spreads through contact with deer saliva, urine or feces. The disease can spread rapidly in areas where deer concentrate.

There hasn’t yet been any evidence to suggest that the condition could be transmitted to humans. Despite this, wildlife officials continue to advise extreme caution regarding the disease.

They recommend that hunters use precautions when handling deer, and to never hunt deer that appear to be sick or acting abnormally. Experts suggest boning out the meat and avoiding contact with the animal’s brain, eyes, spinal cord tissues and spleen. It’s important to have your deer tested before attempting to consume the meat. Most experts warn against eating meat that is found to be infected.

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About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.