CWD Concern and SE Wyoming Deer & Elk

[ReaptheHeat]

Avoiding CWD areas is only step one. Anybody taking their animal for processing is getting CWD infected meat back, regardless if your animal had a "non detect".

How many people process their own meat?

 

[Coveyleader]

Have you hunted out there since before cwd was a problem.?

Yes, I started hunting it right when they did the initial culling and remember talking to the local division guy and he mentioned infection rates were very low at the time. He actually gave me a tip on a giant buck they had trapped and were supposed to kill (he had dropped his horns already) but he let it go as he was not happy at the time on deer killed vs positive test results. He mentioned it was a tank of a buck and simply didn’t want t to kill at that time. Now, it’s a mess. If you shoot 10 deer, I bet 6 or more will test positive. Especially if they’re bucks.

 

[Laramie]

Yes, I started hunting it right when they did the initial culling and remember talking to the local division guy and he mentioned infection rates were very low at the time. He actually gave me a tip on a giant buck they had trapped and were supposed to kill (he had dropped his horns already) but he let it go as he was not happy at the time on deer killed vs positive test results. He mentioned it was a tank of a buck and simply didn’t want t to kill at that time. Now, it’s a mess. If you shoot 10 deer, I bet 6 or more will test positive. Especially if they’re bucks.

Dang, that's rough.

 

[Laramie]

Some reinforcing info from the Boone and Crocket club. Really explains the decline in trophy class deer in CWD areas. https://www.boone-crockett.org/cwd-part-four

"Older deer are also more likely to be infected than young deer. Thus, older males (trophy animals) are the most likely group to be infected with CWD and the quickest to die from the infection. Field research in the western U.S. demonstrated that CWD can reduce the average age of deer (especially males) and dramatically reduce the number of trophy bucks in an affected herd."

 

[Laramie]

Almost time to apply for mule deer so bumping this thread.

 

[Laramie]

Wyoming mule deer deadline approaching.

 

[wytx]

Been hunting the same area for about 35 years, only had 2 deer test positive in that time.
Go hunt, get your deer tested and make your decision if you want to eat it or not.
We take 5+ yr old deer every year, mature bucks are out there and not all are CWD positive.

 

[Laramie]

Been hunting the same area for about 35 years, only had 2 deer test positive in that time.
Go hunt, get your deer tested and make your decision if you want to eat it or not.
We take 5+ yr old deer every year, mature bucks are out there and not all are CWD positive.

I agree completely. However, I do think hunters that have concerns over CWD have hunt area options available that essentially guarantee that they don't take a chance on harvesting an infected deer. I personally don't even bother testing but some people are worried about it... and the state recommends tossing an infected deer. Would be sad to use all those years of points on something that a person will throw away.

 

[mt terry d]

Funny how there are laws against wasting meat but then F&G advise to toss any that tests positive.

But the tests aren't 100%, correct?
So what if I decide to toss the meat if I just "have a feeling" or am "afraid" to eat it ?
That's legit, right?

Or safer yet leave it in the field to avoid the risk in the first place, especially in
a "high risk" area?

Yeah, rhetorical questions.

Just pointing out how stupid this whole thing is and how unethical it is to even
attempt to take an animal that might have CWD if you're not going to eat it ; for
virtually any reason.

Then there's https://mfbn.org/hunters-against-hunger/
"In conjunction with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks..."

Doesn't look like this is tested either.

wth MTFWP?