ADWA ACTION ALERT
Join Our Online Community Receive action alerts, tips, news and special offers via e-mail.
Kentucky Defends Against Fatal Deer and Elk Disease
09-04-09
Frankfort, Kenucky - Just as archery deer season opens this Saturday, September 5, deer and elk seasons are opening this month in other states as well.
"Some hunters are taking that dream trip to places like Colorado for early season elk or mule deer," said Tina Brunjes, big game program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "Hunters must remember that they cannot bring whole carcasses of deer or elk back from states that have Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)."
Kentucky remains free of the disease. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has tested more than 15,000 deer and elk for CWD since 2002. All tests have been negative.
The states with CWD include Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York,Illinois, West Virginia and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
"Hunters can still bring back the meat and antlers from their harvested deer and elk, but they must remove all brain matter and spinal cord tissue," Brunjes explained. "This means you cannot bring back the caped-out head, you must skull cap the antlers and clean all brain and spinal tissue from the animal before you bring it back into Kentucky."
Clean skulls, canine teeth, hides and finished taxidermy products may all be brought back into Kentucky.
Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurological disease that is fatal to deer and elk, but does not infect humans. The disease is spread by an abnormal protein called a prion. Prions don't break down in the environment; they can stay in the soil even after the removal of infected animals. Chronic Wasting Disease belongs to a group of diseases called Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies.
Other states surrounding Kentucky enforce importation bans. Those who travel to Kentucky to hunt deer or elk must know the regulations of any state through which they intend to travel when returning home.
Hunters traveling this fall to CWD positive states must know that state's hunting regulations as well. Some states require that hunters submit a sample of harvested animals before transporting it out of state.
For more information on CWD, consult page 26 of the 2009-2010 Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide. You may also log on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife homepage atfw.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
"Some hunters are taking that dream trip to places like Colorado for early season elk or mule deer," said Tina Brunjes, big game program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "Hunters must remember that they cannot bring whole carcasses of deer or elk back from states that have Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)."
Kentucky remains free of the disease. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife has tested more than 15,000 deer and elk for CWD since 2002. All tests have been negative.
The states with CWD include Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York,Illinois, West Virginia and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
"Hunters can still bring back the meat and antlers from their harvested deer and elk, but they must remove all brain matter and spinal cord tissue," Brunjes explained. "This means you cannot bring back the caped-out head, you must skull cap the antlers and clean all brain and spinal tissue from the animal before you bring it back into Kentucky."
Clean skulls, canine teeth, hides and finished taxidermy products may all be brought back into Kentucky.
Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurological disease that is fatal to deer and elk, but does not infect humans. The disease is spread by an abnormal protein called a prion. Prions don't break down in the environment; they can stay in the soil even after the removal of infected animals. Chronic Wasting Disease belongs to a group of diseases called Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies.
Other states surrounding Kentucky enforce importation bans. Those who travel to Kentucky to hunt deer or elk must know the regulations of any state through which they intend to travel when returning home.
Hunters traveling this fall to CWD positive states must know that state's hunting regulations as well. Some states require that hunters submit a sample of harvested animals before transporting it out of state.
For more information on CWD, consult page 26 of the 2009-2010 Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide. You may also log on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife homepage atfw.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
Contact:
Lee McClellan (800) 858-1549 ext. 4443
Lee McClellan (800) 858-1549 ext. 4443
Spikes Magazine
Get Your Free Copy of Spikes Magazine!