State researchers tracking disease threatening deer (Chronic Wasting Disease)

Lansing State Journal ^ | 10-6-03 | Susan Vela

[Dan from Michigan]

State researchers tracking disease threatening deer

Task force is developing defense plan to keep chronic wasting disease at bay

By Susan Vela
Lansing State Journal

As another deer-hunting season generates millions for the state's economy, Michigan is scrambling to keep chronic wasting disease from entering its borders.

A state task force is on the cusp of releasing recommendations designed to wall out the fatal brain illness, which has damaged Wisconsin's hunting industry since deer started dying there two years ago.

Michigan hunters have been banned from hauling whole carcasses across state lines, a strategy officials say is necessary since no one knows what causes the disease.

And Michigan State University scientists are intensifying tests to detect the disease. Many health experts say there is no evidence that chronic wasting disease affects humans, but some remain uncertain.

At stake: Michigan's deer herd of nearly 2 million and a state hunting industry that annually breathes $500 million to $800 million into the economy.

"It could seriously deplete the wild deer population," said task force chairman Howard Tanner, a former fisheries professor and state Department of Natural Resources director. "We're very fortunate that Michigan apparently does not have it. (But) that doesn't say for sure that it's not here."

A hunter himself, Tanner added: "It's a very serious threat to the whole hunting tradition."

Along with four other task force members, Tanner has spent months meeting with national experts, seeking their advice and real-life experiences.

The group will present its recommendations to Gov. Jennifer Granholm by Oct. 15.

Tanner will not detail possible recommendations, but said a regional approach involving bordering states and parts of Canada may be the best approach.

He hopes Michigan's environmentalists and political leaders will remain vigilant in their battle against the disease first identified in Colorado's deer herds more than 30 years ago.

'Like a cancer'

Long considered a Western dilemma, chronic wasting disease stunned Michigan's environmentalists when it was detected recently in deer in Wisconsin and then Illinois.

The disease, related to mad cow disease, attacks the deer's nervous system, causing the animal to become emaciated, lose control of bodily functions and die. Tanner said the illness has an incubation period of one to three years.

Michigan, which had been doing cursory tests on dead deer for years, intensified those efforts and enforced a plan to keep the illness out of the state.

It includes a ban on feeding and baiting deer if the disease is detected within 50 miles of state lines. If a Michigan deer tests positive, state officials will conduct massive tests on the deer found in surrounding areas.

Steve Schmitt, a wildlife veterinarian for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the state is doing a good job of addressing the threat.

When Wisconsin's deer began dying from the disease, he had to assure hunters that no human being ever died from eating infected venison.

Wisconsin, which has a $1 billion hunting industry, has seen deer license sales drop to 585,741 from 647,526 in the past year, costing the state more than $1 million in revenue.

Now, Schmitt stresses the threat to Michigan deer.

"We do not want to risk our deer herd. Our deer herd is just too valuable to take a nonchalant view of this disease," he said.

Chronic wasting disease "is like a cancer. You need to treat it aggressively and remove the cancer as opposed to waiting to see how malignant it is. The state's doing just about everything it can."

Won't stop hunters

Michigan's hunters are expected to kill about 500,000 deer during the months of October, November and December.

Many say hunting is like a narcotic and that they won't let concerns about chronic wasting disease stop them.

"I like it so much. I would never quit. It's addictive," said Todd Warner, a 15-year-old Lansing resident who bought some muzzleloader grease at Dick's Sporting Goods in Lansing Township recently. But "I hope (the disease) doesn't ever enter Michigan."

Dick's has a virtual shrine for hunters.

In a section called "The Lodge," customers find high-powered rifles, scent-eliminated clothing and much more.

Manager Lisa D'Amore said the hunting season "means a whole lot. The revenues (from) hunters here in Michigan are tremendous."

Jesse Smith, 31, of Okemos, is an avid hunter. Mere suspicion of chronic wasting disease will not stop him from hunting.

If he spots a deer with chronic wasting disease symptoms, he said he'll have no qualms about killing the deer and donating it to scientists.

The disease "has got to be managed," he said.

Scientists at MSU's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health have spent years conducting studies on carcass brains to detect evidence of chronic wasting disease.

Sporadic testing led to hunters donating more than 5,000 carcasses to the center once the Wisconsin outbreak occurred. The same amount is expected to be donated during the next year.

Wisconsin's outbreak "was a wake-up call to everyone," center director Willie Reed said. "Chronic wasting disease is moving eastwardly and could threaten deer in Michigan. We should be concerned. We have a lot at stake here in Michigan."

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Hunting seasons

Archery season: Oct. 1-Nov. 1 throughout the state.

Firearm season: Saturday to Oct. 19 for antlerless deer on private land in Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.

Archery season: Dec. 1-Jan. 1 throughout the state.

Firearm season: Nov. 15-30 throughout the state.

Muzzleloading season: Dec. 5-14 for Upper Peninsula; Dec. 12-21 for Lower Peninsula

Firearm season: Dec. 22 to Jan. 1, antlerless deer on private land in Tuscola, Lapeer, Kent, Ionia, Barry, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jackson, St. Joseph, Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties. Source: Michigan DNR

[Dan from Michigan]

This is scary, and I hope that the disease is quarantined as much as possible.

[Support Free Republic]

Aww man! Enough of the fundraiser posts!!!

Only YOU can make fundraiser posts go away. Please contribute!

[MetalHeadConservative35]

me too...this will be my first season,btw you headin out on opening day as well?

[Dan from Michigan]

I can't make Opening Day :(

I'll probably be up right after Thanksgiving.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

(Chronic Wasting Disease)

Is this disease limited to deer that vote for democrats?

[MetalHeadConservative35]

sorry bro,im heading up probably 16-17th probably gonna head to either chelsea or pontiac

[MetalHeadConservative35]

LOL funny,but no its been a concern here in michigan for awhile now..been showing up in my hunting manuals and guide's the last few years

basically its pretty easy to tell if the deer has it they usually have lots of internal sores,which if they do i guess we have to call the DNR at least you bag the buck...just cant take it home for a venison dinner

[Dan from Michigan]

Good luck. I'm going up near Waters.

I want to get a slug barrel($$$), so I can go hunt in my county. There's deer everywhere out here.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

Thanks,good luck to you too,although it looks like you have the advantage

btw how bout them wings..rough start eh?

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

I live in Morris County, New Jersey and the deer are everywhere. Needless to say, in a congested suburban community, the hunts are few and far between. The deer have no fear of humans. On any given day, whole families of them wander through the yards, eating all the lovely plantings.
We finally put up a fence around most of the property, but they walk right down the street into the front yard.

[Dan from Michigan]

The Wings always start out slow. They'll be back.

There's tons of state land not far from my parent's place(Brighton Rec Area). Lots of deer there(and likely orange too). I suspect Chelsea is similar.

[BMiles2112]

Are you far enough north in Waters to use a rifle? I've got grandparents that live up there with some acreage, but never bothered to go hunting up there. (We've got plenty of deer here in Jackson, so I usually just go in a relatives back yard.)

[Dan from Michigan]

The border for rifle is around Saginaw. I THINK M46, but do not take my word for it.

I KNOW Waters is safe.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

sweet...so huntin season for you is gonna be alot of fun lucky you

[MetalHeadConservative35]

The border for rifle is around Saginaw. I THINK M46, but do not take my word for it.

i wish the rifle zone was further south im not a big fan of shotguns..i would like to use a 7mm or a 30-30 instead of a 12 gauge

[BMiles2112]

By further south, I assume you mean the Ohio/Indiana border?

[BMiles2112]

Poor wording. Should have read, "Is Waters far enough north to use a rifle" As if it matters.

[ladylib]

My aunt lived in Morris County until recently. She had a terrible deer problem. One day, a deer walked down an elderly neighbor's driveway and knocked her over. She later died in the hospital.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

lol im sure we could try to petition that

actually i was hoping south like oakland county or even northwest wayne county

[MetalHeadConservative35]

One day, a deer walked down an elderly neighbor's driveway and knocked her over. She later died in the hospital.

not to be morbid but i cant resist

::sings::: grandma got ran over by a reindeer...

please forgive me :)