Wisconsin’s 9-Day Regular Deer Season Runs Nov.22-30
November 13, 2008
MADISON –Wisconsin’s regular nine-day gun deer season opens Saturday, Nov. 22 this year and runs through Sunday, Nov. 30. The traditional season always opens the Saturday prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Even after a pretty tough winter in parts of the state, and a harvest of more than 520,000 deer in the 2007-08 seasons, the deer herd is still a good deal larger than established population goals in much of Wisconsin. Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists estimate that the herd numbers between 1.5 and 1.7 million animals going into the fall 2007-08 seasons, a slight decrease from last year.
Because of this, most of the deer management units across the state, with the exception of some areas in the northeast, are under either herd control or earn-a-buck structures. In deer management units designated as earn-a-buck (EAB), hunters are required to shoot an antlerless deer in order to “earn” a sticker allowing them harvest an antlered deer. In units designated as regular or herd control, hunters do not need to first shoot an antlerless deer in order to shoot a buck. A free antlerless tag will come with each archery and gun license that is valid in herd control, EAB and CWD units. Additional antlerless tags can be purchased anytime after the license is purchased for $2 each.
Gun hunters who wish to harvest an antlerless deer in a “regular” unit (white units on DMU map), must purchase a unit-specific antlerless tag in addition to their license. These antlerless tags are limited in quantity for each unit and cost $12 each for residents and $20 for non-residents. Many regular units still have antlerless tags left, while some have sold out.
Hunters could have prequalified for the buck harvest sticker by having shot an antlerless deer from an EAB or CWD unit last year, or by having registered an antlerless deer in either the early archery season or four day October antlerless deer hunt. Hunters who shot an antlerless deer during a season from one of theses units this year should have received a buck sticker when they registered their antlerless deer.
In units that were not EAB last year, but are in EAB this year, hunter’s should have received a “2008” buck authorization sticker in the mail if they registered antlerless deer from those units last fall. Hunters can check their prequalification status on the DNR Web site.
There are also changes in the deer season framework this fall in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Zone. These changes reflect a blending of a CWD citizen advisory group recommendations, feedback from eight public hearings the Department of Natural Resources held this spring, and the agency’s recommendations to manage the disease.
These changes include combining the previous Disease Eradication Zone and the Herd Reduction Zone into one zone, called the CWD Management Zone with consistent regulations and one season framework, that is very similar to the season structure for the rest of the state. All of the CWD zone is also under EAB regulations this year.
“With and strong hunter commitment to herd management through hunting, the state is making progress toward population goals,” says Keith Warnke, DNR deer and bear ecologist. “Large antlerless deer harvests will always be needed, however, even with populations near goal, to stay at desired levels.”
Warnke says hunting has had a positive impact on deer herd management in recent years, and hunters deserve credit for that management. Hunters can take advantage of an abundant herd and hunting opportunities to enjoy their pastime, help to secure the future of wildlife conservation by bringing in new hunters and help others by making use of the statewide food pantry donation system to help feed needy families.
All baiting and feeding of deer is banned in 26 Wisconsin counties (pdf) due to the presence of either chronic wasting disease or bovine tuberculosis in either captive or free roaming animals. In the rest of the state, the practices are allowed subject to a number of restrictions.
There is a growing body of scientific evidence that clearly supports ending deer baiting and feeding from a disease management and prevention standpoint. In the past two years, the case for prohibiting baiting and feeding in Wisconsin has been strengthened by additional research into deer disease transmission and the behavioral responses of deer to the repeated placement of even a small volume of food.
The Department of Natural Resources and the state Natural Resources Board strongly encourage hunters and citizens to refrain from baiting and feeding deer under any circumstances.
Precautions for Eating Deer Harvested with Lead Ammunition
Deer harvested with lead bullets have been shown to potentially have tiny lead particles or fragments remaining in the processed meat. These are often too small to be seen and can disperse far from the wound channel. Although lead in venison does not rival lead paint in older homes as a health risk for the public, the risk is not low enough to ignore. Children under 6 years and pregnant women are at the greatest risk from lead exposure.
The amount of lead found in a small percentage of venison samples suggests that long term effects of lead consumption could occur in people who regularly eat venison shot with lead ammunition.
These suggestions can reduce exposure to lead in venison:
- Consider alternative non-lead ammunition such as copper or other high weight-retention bullets, such as bonded bullets.
- Practice marksmanship and hunting skills to get closer, making cleaner, lethal shots away from major muscle areas. Aim for the neck or the head, or the vitals behind the shoulder. Don’t shoot at running deer.
- Avoid consuming internal organs, as they can contain extra lead from heart-lung shots.
- Request your meat processor to not use deer meat with excessive shot damage. If you process your own venison, trim a generous distance away from the wound channel and discard any meat that is bruised, discolored or contains hair, dirt, bone fragments or grass. Do not use deer with excessive shot damage.
Licenses available through deer season
Hunters who have not yet purchased a gun deer hunting license and want it for opening weekend are being urged not to wait until the last minute to make sure there are no problems with their license purchase. Gun deer hunting licenses are $24 for residents and $160 for non-residents and can be purchased at license sales locations or DNR service centers during their regular business hours (check service center link for hours of operation, which vary by service center; service centers are closed Saturdays).
Licenses are also available over the Internet through the Online Licensing Center or by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236); However, to guarantee delivery by Friday, November 21, hunters who purchase licenses online or by phone before 2 p.m., Wednesday, November 19 will need to pay an expedited FED EX fee ($15) in order to receive it by opening weekend.
As of 2004 hunters have also been able to purchase Wisconsin deer hunting licenses at license vendors and DNR service centers any time during the nine-day deer gun season.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Warnke - (608) 264-6023 or Jason Fleener - (608) 261-7589
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Highlighting Illinois DNR Programs and Upcoming Events for the Month of November
November 6, 2008
Deer Permit Application Deadline: The last day to apply for 2008 firearm and muzzleloader-only season deer permits is Fri., Nov. 7. Hunters may apply online through DNR Direct (link through the DNR Direct button on the IDNR home page at http://dnr.state.il.us
). Permit application forms are also available on the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/. The Illinois Firearm Deer Season is Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7. The Illinois Muzzleloader-only Deer Season is Dec. 12-14 (and the second firearm weekend of Dec. 4-7).
Late-Winter Deer Season: The deadline to apply for permits for the 2009 Illinois Late-Winter Firearm Antlerless-Only Deer Season is Fri., Nov. 14. The Late-Winter season is scheduled for Jan. 16-18, 2009. Counties that will be open for the Late-Winter season are: Adams, Bond, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Knox, LaSalle, Lawrence, Lee, Logan, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Massac, McDonough, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Pike, Putnam, Randolph, Richland, Rock Island, Saline, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, St. Clair, Stephenson, Tazewell, Union, Vermilion, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne, White, Whiteside, Williamson, and Woodford. Hunters may apply for a permit online through DNR Direct at http://dnr.state.il.us or print out a copy of the permit application at http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/late.htm.
CWD Deer Season: Hunters in Boone, DeKalb, McHenry, and Winnebago counties and that portion of Kane County west of Ill. Rt. 47 can participate in the special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Deer Season Jan. 16-18, 2009 to help control deer densities and the spread of chronic wasting disease.
Special CWD season antlerless-only permits will be available over-the-counter beginning in mid-December for $5 each at participating DNR Direct license and permit vendors. In addition, hunters with unfilled 2008 firearm, muzzleloader, youth deer hunt, or archery deer permits valid for one of the open counties may use those permits to hunt during the CWD season. Hunters using unfilled permits from the 2008 firearm, muzzleloader, youth, or archery season may take deer appropriate for that permit (antlerless-only or either-sex). Check stations will be manned during the CWD season in the open counties. Successful hunters will be required to bring their deer to a check station prior to 8 p.m. on the day of harvest. Hunters who submit samples for CWD testing will be given an additional permit valid for the remainder of the season. Check station locations for the CWD Deer Season, Jan. 16-18, 2009 are listed below:
- Boone Co. - Boone County Fairgrounds, Rt. 76 and Business Rt. 20, Belvidere
- DeKalb Co. and Kane Co. (west of Ill. Rt. 47) - Shabbona Lake State Park, 4201 Shabbona Grove Rd., Shabbona
- McHenry Co. - McHenry Dam Day Use Area, Moraine Hills State Park, east of McHenry on River Road, 2.2 miles south of Route 120
- Winnebago Co. - Rock Cut State Park, 6425 Hart Road (one mile east of Perryville Rd. on Hart Rd.), Loves Park
Deer Pins: Hunters successful in taking a deer during the 2008-09 deer seasons in Illinois can pick up a free deer pin at one of the hundreds of IDNR license and permit vendor locations throughout the state. For deer pin locations, check the IDNR web site at the following link: http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/harvest.htm. Deer pins are also available during regular business hours at the IDNR Headquarters in Springfield, the IDNR Regional offices in Sterling, Bartlett, Clinton, Alton and Benton, and the IDNR Chicago office.  Â
Upland Prospects: For information on prospects for the 2008-09 pheasant, quail and rabbit seasons in Illinois, check the IDNR web site for the annual hunting prospects reports prepared by the IDNR Division of Wildlife Program Development. The link to the reports is available through the IDNR home page at http://dnr.state.il.us. Click on the Hunting and Upland/Small Game links.
Spring Turkey First Lottery: Resident hunters may now apply for the first lottery for 2009 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Season permits online through DNR Direct. Just go to the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us and click on the Hunting and Turkey Hunting links. The application deadline for the first lottery for 2009 resident spring turkey permits is Dec. 1, 2008.
OutdoorIllinois: Illinois’ first state park, Fort Massac State Park in Massac County, was dedicated 100 years ago this month, and is the subject of the cover and a feature article in the November 2008 issue of OutdoorIllinois. Other stories include the work of Conservation Police Officers during deer season, deer hunting, leaf litter, youth goose hunting, tracking waterfowl by radar and the red-headed woodpecker. For a summary of feature magazine articles, listen in on monthly podcasts at www.dnr.state.il.us/OI.
OutdoorIllinois is a great tool for learning about Illinois’ natural, cultural and recreational resources and a bargain at only $15 for a one-year, 12-issue magazine subscription that includes an information-packed annual calendar in the December issue. Visit www.dnr.state.il.us/OI or call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. For information on advertising in OutdoorIllinois, call 217/785-8610 or e-mail michelle [dot] silver [at] illinois [dot] gov.
Landowner Honors: The IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources has honored four landowners as 2008 recipients of the Illinois Landowner of the Year award for their efforts to restore and develop wildlife habitat on their private properties. The program is one of the ways the IDNR recognizes some of the great efforts of private property owners who do extraordinary work in developing their property for wildlife. The property owners recognized this year participate in the Acres for Wildlife program and have developed properties that showcase how land can be managed for the benefit of wildlife. The award winners are:
- Dr. Bob Benningfield, property in Knox County, recognized by District Wildlife Biologist (DWB) Kevin Oller
- Ron and Donna Scudder, property in Champaign County, recognized by DWB Dan Newhouse
- Norman and Anita Dicks, property in Adams County, recognized by DWB Brad Poulter
- Tom and Roxie Blasdel, property in Wayne County, recognized by DWB Steve Kern
Utilizing a variety of conservation programs including the IDNR Acres for Wildlife, USDA Conservation Reserve Program, and assistance from private not-for-profit conservation organizations, these landowners have seen tremendous wildlife response to their efforts. Warm and cool season grassland development, construction of wetlands, bottomland hardwood plantings, exotic species control, and prescribed burning are examples of various habitat practices employed. For more information on habitat enhancement for wildlife in Illinois, contact the IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources at 217/782-6384.
ICF Youth Scholarship Program Nomination Deadline Dec. 1: The Illinois Conservation Foundation Youth Achievement Scholarship program nomination deadline is Dec. 1. Ten high school juniors or seniors - one female and one male from each of the five IDNR regions in Illinois - will be selected. Students who have made significant contributions or exhibited unparalleled dedication in preserving, promoting, enhancing or supporting natural resources conservation in Illinois are eligible. Each student selected will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must be Illinois residents, a member of the high school class of 2009 or 2010, and must be nominated by a natural resource constituency group, community leader, school administrator, teacher or adult mentor. Those selected will be presented with the scholarships at the annual Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 28, 2009 at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. The scholarship program is supported through funds raised at the banquet. For more information, call 217/785-2003.
Nomination forms are available through the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.
Historic Harvest: The Illinois State Museum in Springfield hosts “Historic Harvest,” a museum Super Saturdays program for youngsters, on Sat., Nov. 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  As Thanksgiving draws near, learn how the first farmers of Illinois harvested their crops without trucks, tractors, or other modern machines. The program is free and open to the public. It is especially recommended for children ages 4-8. For more information, contact the Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., Springfield at 217/782-6044.
Collector’s Day: The Illinois State Museum’s popular “Collector’s Day” is scheduled for Sat., Nov. 15 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Many of the finest pieces of the museum’s collections were donated by people with a passion for collecting. During this special event, meet local collectors who will display their unique collections, from typewriters to music boxes to antique pins to cameras to cartoon memorabilia. New this year: A conservator will be on hand to answer questions about caring for collections. No buying, selling, or appraisals will be allowed.  For more information, call 217/782-5993. The ISM Collector’s Day is free and open to the public at 502 S. Spring St., Springfield.
Native Americans in Central Illinois: The Illinois State Museum presents an archaeology lecture on “Oneota and Mississippian Cultural Traditions in the Central Illinois River Valley” on Wed., Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the ISM Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash, Springfield. Sometime in the late 1200s, the Oneota migrated into the region near Dickson Mounds in the Illinois River valley. In 2008, Michigan State University and the Dickson Mounds Museum staff began excavations at a nearby early Oneota site in order to learn more about this migration and the interactions between the Oneota and Mississippian groups. Learn more about their findings at the program on Nov. 12. For more information, phone 217/782-0061.
Great Gift:Â Need 12 gift ideas for that special outdoorsman or outdoorswoman? How about a one-year gift subscription to OutdoorIllinois magazine? For just $15, friends and family members will receive 12 full-color issues of OutdoorIllinois, packed with state park features, how-to outdoors tips, hunting and fishing tales, IDNR news updates, and plenty more. It=s easy to subscribe: In Illinois, order toll-free at 1-800-720-3249 or online at www.dnr.state.il/oi.
Invasive Plant Posters:Â New Illinois Invasive Plant publications are available from the University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, and the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area. There are five posters in the collection. The large poster is 17″ by 38″ highlighting the four major habitats of Illinois (grassland, woodland, wetland, agriculture) and the top four invasive plants in those habitats. In addition, there are four smaller (8.5″ by 11″) posters corresponding to the four habitats on the large poster. Each small poster showcases 8 to 12 plants with a photo and distribution in Illinois on the front and information on identification and why the plant is considered invasive on the back. The posters are free of charge.Â
Contact Dawn Refsell at drefsell [at] illinois [dot] edu with your name, shipping address and the quantity and titles you are requesting.
Arbor Day Poster Contest: The annual Arbor Day Poster Contest instruction and curriculum packet was recently mailed to Illinois schools with fifth-grade classes. Additional copies are available from the IDNR through the online ordering system at http://www.idnrteachkids.com. The deadline for the Illinois poster contest is February 20, 2009. For more information, phone 217/785-8771.
Junior Duck Stamp - New Format: The 2009 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest rules, information and entry form are now available. To download a copy, go to the following web address:  http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ArtContest.htm. Teachers should note that the brochure was not printed for 2009 and they will not receive one by mail. Get started with this program now to ensure there is plenty of time for students to complete the artwork. Entries must be received by March 15, 2009. The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is a program for students of grades K-12 that uses the fine arts to teach about waterfowl, wetlands and wildlife conservation. Illinois co-sponsors are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the IDNR. For more information, email dnr [dot] teachkids [at] illinois [dot] gov or call 217/524-4126.
Attention Teachers:Â Illinois DNR Urban Fishing Program coordinators will come to your school and conduct programs aimed at getting kids interested in fishing and the outdoors, while promoting environmental stewardship. One part of the program involves actually taking kids fishing during May and September, if a nearby lake is accessible. Teachers may continue the program on their own after the initial session, with the assistance of IDNR personnel. Contact the Urban Fishing Program Coordinator in your area. The urban fishing program is appropriate for any grade level.
Chicago: Brenda McKinney at 847/294‑4137
Chicago Suburbs: IDNR Staff at 847/294‑4137
Northwest Illinois: IDNR Staff at 815/625‑2968
Central Illinois: Herb Dreier at 217/782‑6424
Southern Illinois: Mark Yehling at 618/462‑1181
OI Calendar:Â The 2009 IDNR wall calendar, produced in conjunction with OutdoorIllinois magazine, once again will be available in the December issue of OI. The traditional favorite among readers measures 17 by 11 inches and includes seasonal photography from Illinois’ great outdoors by OI photographer Adele Hodde. The calendar grids feature information on fishing and hunting seasons, activities in state parks, reminders about license/permit/grant application deadlines and much more. Each month features a text-free image you’ll be tempted to save even after the calendar becomes history. Included in the 2009 lineup:
- JANUARY: white-fronted geese and Canada geese take flight at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
- FEBRUARY: federally endangered trumpeter swans at Pyramid State Park.
- MARCH: a juvenile great-horned owl near Springfield
- APRIL: wild geraniums at Mississippi Palisades State Park
- MAY: a thirteen-lined ground squirrel at Chain O’Lakes State Park
- JUNE: browsing whitetails in east-central Illinois
- JULY: Halloween pennant dragonfly at Pyramid State Park
- AUGUST: water snakes at Sanganois Conservation Area
- SEPTEMBER: autumn colors amid cliffs at Ferne Clyffe State Park
- OCTOBER: a whitetail hoofing it in central Illinois
- NOVEMBER: ice-covered fungi at Giant City State Park
- DECEMBER: a Virginia opossum takes a snowy stroll at Beaver Dam State Park
Single copies of the December issue are $3 and will be available after December 1 at the License and Permit counter at the IDNR Springfield headquarters, at various Illinois booksellers and selected IDNR sites. Interested persons also may call 217/785-0975 or send a check or money order payable to OutdoorIllinois to: Â Illinois Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 19225 Dept. NL, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. An even better value, especially as a gift for that outdoor enthusiast on your gift-giving list, is an annual subscription to OutdoorIllinois for $15 for a one-year (12 issues) subscription. Call 1-800-720-3249 or visit www.dnr.state.il.us/OI to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. OutdoorIllinois is an indispensable guide to Illinois’ natural, cultural and recreational resources.
Oil and Gas Board Meeting: Â The next meeting of the Illinois Oil and Gas Advisory Board will be held on Wed., Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Illinois Oil and Gas Association building located at 824 East Highway 15 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call 217/782-7756.
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California DFG Checkpoints Are Successful
November 3, 2008
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) inspected 132 vehicles Oct. 26 at two border station checkpoints to help prevent transport of chronic wasting disease (CWD). The checkpoints were conducted at the Truckee station on Interstate 80 in Nevada County and the Long Valley station on U.S. Route 395 in Lassen County. Game wardens issued a total of 20 citations.
The violations included 11 cases of importation of deer or elk parts that could contain CWD, three loaded firearms in vehicles, one illegal possession of fireworks, five over-limits of trout, one case of transportation of a game bird without a fully-feathered wing and one case of importation of deer without a tag. Numerous warnings were issued for various other violations.
“We received Declaration of Entry forms from hunters returning from Canada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho, and discussed the importance of protecting California deer and elk herds from CWD,” said Capt. Sherry Howell whose squad operated the checkpoint at the Long Valley station.
DFG game wardens inspected deer and elk meat or parts that could contain CWD. DFG has been educating California hunters about CWD for the past five years and other states’ agencies have advised out-of-state hunters to adhere to home state regulations to help prevent importation of the disease.
“The detail was a very successful enforcement effort, with the majority of the hunters complying with the CWD regulations,” said Capt. Mark Lucero, whose squad operated the checkpoint at the Truckee border protection station on I-80. “This is a strong indicator that out-of-state hunters are aware of efforts to keep the infectious disease from spreading.“
CWD is not present in California, but transporting a deer spinal column or brain from a state where the disease exists, could introduce it.
CWD has been found in 15 states and two Canadian provinces. It is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and elk, but has not been found in humans. Hunters are prohibited from bringing any portion of elk or deer into California that could contain CWD, as outlined in the state’s hunting and sport fishing regulations, available on the Web at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations. For more information about CWD, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/cwd.
At the checkpoints, K-9 detection dogs also were used to inspect incoming watercraft for invasive species like Quagga and Zebra mussels. State law makes it illegal to possess or transport Quagga or Zebra mussels and gives DFG authority to stop, detain, search and quarantine boats suspected or determined to be contaminated with mussels. No Quagga mussel violations were found at the checkpoints on Oct. 26.
Quagga and Zebra mussels pose a serious threat to California’s ecosystem and economy. Inspections help ensure the state’s water bodies remain mussel-free and serve to educate the public about the threat the invasive mussels pose.
Mussels attached to watercraft or trailers and in boat engines, bilges, live-wells and buckets can spread rapidly throughout our waterways. Boaters should inspect all exposed surfaces, wash boat hulls thoroughly, remove all plants from the boat and trailer, drain all water - including lower outboard units, clean and dry live-wells and bait buckets and dispose baitfish in the trash. Most important, watercraft should be dried for at least five days between launches in different bodies of fresh water and even longer in cool, moist weather.
For more information about the destructive Quagga and Zebra mussels, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel.
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Check Points Set to Stop Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from Entering California
October 20, 2008
Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wardens will check hunters entering San Bernardino County to prevent the introduction of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This checkpoint, which will be held at an agricultural inspection station, is a continuation of DFG’s extensive educational outreach program and will be conducted Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. They are a part of an enhanced educational effort to supplement information provided in the hunting regulation pamphlet and the California Hunting Digest.
Checkpoints are an educational and enforcement tool to protect California deer and elk herds from CWD. Hunters play a key role in keeping CWD out of California. Wardens enforce all Fish and Game laws at checkpoints.
CWD has been found in 15 states and two Canadian provinces. It is a fatal neurological disease of deer and elk. It has not been found in humans.
Hunters are prohibited from bringing any portion of elk or deer into California that could contain CWD as outlined in the regulations. Wardens have authority to inspect harvested game and can conduct vehicle stops once vehicles enter California.
More information on CWD is available on the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/cwd.
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Star Valley, Wyoming Moose Tests Positive For CWD
October 20, 2008
Cheyenne— A three-year-old female moose has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease in western Wyoming. CWD is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose that affects the brain, causing weight loss, abnormal behavior, and, eventually, death. There is no evidence that CWD has any human-health implications.
“This finding was a very big surprise, said Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Disease Specialist Hank Edwards.”Number one, because this is the first CWD-positive moose we have ever found in Wyoming. And number two, because this moose was in an area that is a significant distance from any other known CWD areas.”
The animal was found approximately two miles south of Bedford, Wyoming, and showed no clinical signs of CWD, which include loss of body condition, excessive drooling, and drooping ears and head. It was unable to stand up but was in very good nutritional condition.
Testing at the WGFD laboratory in Laramie determined this animal had elaeophorosis (arterial worm disease), which accounted for its inability to stand. According to Edwards, mule deer are the normal host for elaeophorosis, where it does not cause serious disease. Elaeophorosis is rarely seen in elk, but can cause significant disease in moose. Additional testing by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory confirmed that the moose also tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. Based on laboratory tests and lack of clinical sign, Edwards said this animal was in the early stages of CWD.
Though CWD has been found in deer and elk in many parts of Wyoming and other states, it is extremely rare in moose. Only three other wild moose in North America have tested positive for the disease, all of them in Colorado.
As a result of this finding, the Game and Fish will increase CWD surveillance activities in this region of Wyoming. According to WGFD Jackson Region Wildlife Supervisor Tim Fuchs: “We will immediately begin to gear up our CWD surveillance in the Star Valley. We plan on enlisting hunters in that area to help us by submitting their animals for CWD testing. To do this, we are establishing check stations throughout the region, and through news releases and other media we’ll be letting hunters know we need their help.”
WGFD personnel collect and analyze more than 4,000 CWD samples annually throughout the state.
“There are no methods that have been proven effective in stopping the expansion of CWD, although a number of things have been tried in other states,” said WGFD Director Steve Ferrell. “Recent research in Wisconsin and Colorado has shown us that large-scale culling of animals is ineffective in stopping the spread of the disease or reducing its prevalence. Currently, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is monitoring the disease, conducting various research projects to understand more about