Michigan DNR: More Chronic Wasting Disease Suspected in Two Additional Counties
OutdoorHub Reporters 11.29.18
More bad news for Michigan deer hunters, as state officials are reporting more chronic wasting disease in two more counties. Bringing the total number to nine.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the findings after a 4-year-old buck in Gratiot County’s Pine River Township and a 2-year-old buck in Eaton County’s Carmel Township tested positive for the mortal deer disease known as CWD. The news is expected to be confirmed next week, as test samples were sent out to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa for further evaluation.
Chronic wasting disease has already been found in seven other counties in Michigan including: Clinton, Dickinson, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent and Montcalm county.
“I continue to be impressed with hunters’ commitment to the health of Michigan’s deer, and want to stress again how much the actions of all hunters matter,” Chad Stewart, DNR deer and elk specialist said. “It is only through hunter assistance that we have found CWD in new areas.”
In 2018, Michigan DNR officials have tested over 16,000 deer, 20 of which tested positive for CWD, mlive reports.
“The DNR sets surveillance goals — shown as a number of deer tested in a particular area — to help us detect the presence of the disease at a certain level,” Stewart said. “It’s critical that we meet these goals to increase our understanding of the distribution of chronic wasting disease in Michigan, so we strongly encourage hunters in these areas to get their deer checked.”
In addition to taking their deer to check stations, the DNR advises hunters to:
• Avoid long-distance movements with deer carcasses
• Handle and dispose of carcasses in a responsible manner
• When hunting out-of-state, only bring back allowed parts
• Dispose of leftover parts in the trash
• If possible, take additional does in the Lower Peninsula’s chronic wasting disease areas
For more information, visit the state’s Emerging Diseases website at michigan.gov/cwd.
