Charlie Elk

pseudonym of a man

  • News
  • Think Pieces / Opinion
  • Turkey Hunting
    • Fall Turkey
    • Spring Turkey
    • turkey hunting tips
    • Stories
  • Humor
  • Deer Hunting
  • Willow Ridge Custom Turkey Calls

Is Quality Deer Management Theory Destroying Wisconsin’s Deer Herd?

February 25, 2014 by Charlie 1 Comment

Test results provide current snapshot of CWD in south-central Wisconsin

For 12 years WDNR has had ongoing CWD surveillance efforts, Department of Natural Resources officials maintain a current picture of trends and

To stop CWD should we focus on removing the older bucks?

To stop CWD should we focus on removing the older bucks?

prevalence of chronic wasting disease within the area previously known as the Wisconsin CWD zone map in the southern part of the state.

The Prevalence of CWD has increased in all categories- Based on 2013 test results for the western monitoring area, encompassing western Dane and Eastern Iowa counties where sampling has been occurring annually since the disease was discovered, current prevalence is:

  • 25 percent of adult male white-tailed deer
  • 10 percent of adult female deer
  • about 7 percent of yearling males
  • about 6 percent of yearling females

All the CWD research has shown, very clearly that adult bucks are more likely to be infected. WDNR’s 12 years of CWD surveillance proves this yet again.  CWD infects 1 out of 4 adult bucks and if yearling bucks are included 1 in every three bucks are infected compared to 1 out of 6 female deer are infected. The research demonstrates: If the goal is to reduce the incident of CWD adult bucks should be removed from the deer herd.  So instead of “earn a buck” there should have been “earn a doe”.   Is it time to target bucks for removal or is it too late?

A rational person could conclude quality deer management theory is destroying Wisconsin’s deer herd.  Why? The emphasis of quality deer management is on preserving bucks and letting them grow older to 3-6-year-olds before killing them.  These 3-6 years old bucks have a much greater chance of carrying CWD, and these are the deer that migrate into new territories spreading their CWD infection as they go.

Tami Ryan, DNR Wildlife Health section chief-

“Sampling deer from these areas where there has been long-term monitoring of disease patterns is important to understanding the dynamics of this disease,” . “Prevalence has been increasing as expected, and we continue to find that prevalence is higher in males than females and higher in adults than yearlings.”

In 2013, DNR staff tested deer from within and outside of the CWD-MZ in south central and southeastern Wisconsin. The sampling strategies were aimed at detecting changes in the location and trends in the prevalence of the disease. Monitoring plans focused surveillance on adult deer, which are most likely to have the disease.

Beginning in 2014, with the approval of the Deer Trustee Report rule package, DNR will have a new funding source available beginning this fall to provide hunter service testing statewide. The funding comes from having the authority to apply $5 from each additional antlerless deer permit sale in CWD-affected counties towards CWD testing and monitoring.

Tami Ryan, DNR Wildlife Health section chief-

“Prior to this change, DNR received no money from additional permits sales. We are pleased to now have a consistent funding stream for CWD testing and monitoring,”

Also emerging from the rule is the Deer Management Assistance Program and the formation of county deer committees, both of which give DNR flexibility to work locally to develop cooperative approaches to disease surveillance and management.

Tami Ryan, DNR Wildlife Health section chief-

“It’s important to be able to work cooperatively with hunters and landowners, as their participation is essential to CWD surveillance. It’s also very important that we connect with the local communities so they can stay informed on deer disease and DNR’s approach to monitoring. They are also the conduit for public sentiment, sharing information with us in addition to taking information back to their community.”

CWD-buckIn spite of the evidence, we are still going to target antlerless deer when the science proves; if the goal is to stop CWD, the population of male deer needs to be reduced. Perhaps this won’t help the deer in the CWD zones, but it sure would stop those wandering bucks from leaving the area and infecting the rest of Wisconsin’s deer.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: News, Think Pieces / Opinion Tagged With: cwd, deer, deer hunting, WI deer hunting, Wisconsin deer

Trackbacks

  1. Anonymous says:
    March 8, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    […] […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. No other email will be sent to you.

comments

  • Paul Rode on 32.5 Pound Turkey
  • Mike on Wisconsin Wolves Eat Black Bear
  • Ken McBroom on Wild Turkey Burns
  • Tony Schutte on West Nile Virus detected in Wisconsin Ruffed Grouse
  • Ken McBroom on What do Wild Turkeys Eat? Crops tell the story
  • Charlie on Kirkland Warbler, Wild Turkey use Audio Bait

Top Posts

  • How to Legally Bait Wild Turkeys
    How to Legally Bait Wild Turkeys
  • Best Coyote Call - - Turkey Yelps
    Best Coyote Call - - Turkey Yelps
  • Wild Turkeys See In Color; But Will Pink Spook Them?
    Wild Turkeys See In Color; But Will Pink Spook Them?
  • When Do the Eggs of Hen Wild Turkey Start Developing?
    When Do the Eggs of Hen Wild Turkey Start Developing?
  • Planked Wild Turkey Breast
    Planked Wild Turkey Breast
  • Below Zero; Raccoons are Out?
    Below Zero; Raccoons are Out?
  • The Turkey's Snood Knows
    The Turkey's Snood Knows
  • Does Wild Venison Tastes Best when Procured in September or Early October?
    Does Wild Venison Tastes Best when Procured in September or Early October?

Recent Posts

  • Kirkland Warbler, Wild Turkey use Audio Bait
  • A Little more Frigid or Warm; What is better for Wildlife?
  • West Nile Virus detected in Wisconsin Ruffed Grouse
  • When the Deer Season Ends
  • First Bubba Chili Pucks

Recent comments

  • Paul Rode on 32.5 Pound Turkey
  • Mike on Wisconsin Wolves Eat Black Bear
  • Ken McBroom on Wild Turkey Burns
  • Tony Schutte on West Nile Virus detected in Wisconsin Ruffed Grouse
  • Ken McBroom on What do Wild Turkeys Eat? Crops tell the story

Videos

Mosquitoes use six needles to suck our … [Read More...]

Have you ever had a whitetail deer standing real … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2021 charlie elk