“”Limited surveillance of the disease in deer dates back to the 1990’s. But, Hesting said, since then, the number of deer infected has grown “exponentially.””
Couple of things to remember here CWD didn’t just start in the 90’s, it’s always been around and the Whitetail population is higher than it’s ever been.
Anytime there is an overpopulation in the animal world a virus seems to materialize and thin out the population. I have seen this happen in the rabbit overpopulation in the past. With out extreme over population in the deer numbers maybe the same thing is happening.
It happens in man too but we strive to control it. The Black Plague is a good example.
CWD didn’t just start in the 90’s, it’s always been around and the Whitetail population is higher than it’s ever been.
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Deer are more plentiful because people have stopped hunting them. That’s because human populations have become more dense, and anti-firearm discharge laws have proliferated.
Deer are herbivores and therefore prey. We cull their predators because they also prey on humans. There’s no easy answer.