A wild 2 year old doe was found with CWD Southwest of Eau Claire.
Wisconsin Hunting Reports/Discussion
CWD found in Eau Claire County
I know the study that is paying people to determine that CWD causes deer to die faster in comparison to healthy deer is supported by the funds. They could have used the funds to support a study if people like jelly or peanut butter better.
Diverting these funds to UW-Madison should be workable....somehow.
"you are right the DNR doesn't have the money."
Most likely true, but the State has already burned up probably $30-$100 million dollars (don't know the exact number) since 2002 on unhelpful studies (like the study that shows CWD infected deer die sooner than non-infected deer), management, sharpshooters, testing, etc. with most of the funding occurring in the early years. That is only one State. UW-Madison or other research institutions can do a lot with that type of money. Diverting the money to private/public disease research institutions would go a long way in learning more about the disease, and potentially finding a cure.
There is no doubt in my mind that CWD infected deer have been eaten but as of now there has not been a crossover. You are totally right on the cattle thing- if it they became infected by deer shed prions this thing would blow up. My biggest question is where is it coming from? And how or why? I think those questions need to be answered. Alot of people blame deer farms and that is where alot is found but how did they get it? This issue does not get attention it deserves for sure.
My point of view after doing some research and speaking with DNR biologists.
There is not anything we can do that will have an impact on slowing its spread. Research is the only area that may contain a resolution of some sort, but that is even doubtful. Deer becoming resistant to prion is highly doubtful.
Once in the environment, it is permanent. Killing healthy/sick deer to reduce herd size has not shown to have any impact. States where it has been found have tried different measures and none have shown any success.
No one can state with certainty that CWD hasn't existed in WI far longer than thought.
In theory, there are a group have actions that when combined together may slow its spread, but the public will never accept.
All harvested animals remains are incinerated, no transportation of carcasses from infected areas to non infected areas, "think townships", added fees to licenses to fund research, increased regulations and restrictions on deer farms, restrictions on transporting topsoil, wood, crop products from infected areas to non infected areas., to name a few.
JC someone will have to die from eating tainted deer meat before that funding will happen unfortunetly. Its knocking on the door of Buffalo county now and there are millions invested there. Its time for hunters and state wildlife managers to get serious about combating this horrible problem.
From WDNR release:
"As has been demonstrated in the past in other parts of the state, local citizen involvement in the decision-making process as well as management actions to address this CWD detection will have the greatest potential for success."
The standard inclusion of "success" by WDNR. Who are they kidding? "Management actions?" Who are they kidding? There is nothing they can do to combat CWD, but this flowery language used every time CWD is found in another location is beyond sickening to me. There is no hope of managing our way out of CWD, and this consistent message of false hope I believe delays any chance to rid the disease from the landscape. Novices read this stuff and think that CWD will simply be managed away, when instead everyone should be pushing for more funding and research.