The continuing geographic spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) poses a significant threat to the long-term sustainability of cervid populations, hunting traditions, and private land management across North America. Despite extensive research, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the mechanisms and factors driving CWD transmission. Wildlife agencies are actively working to mitigate the risks posed by this disease, but effective responses require a better understanding of the disease dynamics and the impact of management actions. One promising approach for addressing these uncertainties is the integration of simulation models with policy decision-making processes. Here, we demonstrate the use of OvCWD, a published agent-based modeling framework, to evaluate and compare regional CWD management strategies. Specifically, we highlight how OvCWD models simulate disease spread in deer populations, enabling the comparison of various management interventions aimed at reducing the hazard rate of CWD (i.e., the force of infection). The force of infection metric allows for an estimation of disease burden and helps assess the effectiveness of management strategies. OvCWD models provide valuable insights into the potential outcomes of different interventions and can support the design of locally relevant CWD management strategies.
