WSJ article on CWD

[Durran87]

As far as I am aware there is not test yet for use on live deer so how can we say it's 100 percent fatal with out testing a group of deer known to have it control every aspect of there life until they die and then confirm it was from cwd until then the 100 percent claim is pure speculation.

There is a test for live deer—here in WI they have been netting deer, taking an anal core sample to test for CWD, collar the deer, and do a necropsy when the deer dies. CWD rates are climbing and we have deer dying from it. Lots of misinformation posted here from people that haven’t witnessed how bad it really is.

 

[Durran87]

I’m in the core area in WI. Deer like this are becoming a regularity. I’ve killed deer that can barely walk, and they come back with a positive CWD test. Picture is from the land I hunt. I’m not sure how others are claiming they haven’t seen it—all of my friends in the neighboring areas are seeing the same.

 

[manitou1]

they call it a growing problem without one piece of scientific evidence to that fact. less than 1% of deer that get the disease die from it.

I have read many, many articles that state CWD is 100% fatal and all animals that contract it will die from it at some time or another.
That being said, as long as it has been in WY and Colorado herds one would think there would be zero elk and deer left on the landscape.

 

[manitou1]

Overpopulation is the biggest factor, correct??

No. It was caused when "scientists" had sheep and deer in pens in close proximity to each other. A scrapies type disease (IIRC) in the sheep jumped the species barrier and mutated. Thank the scientists. Sound familiar? (think Covid)

Ungulates living in close proximity to each other can and does prompt the spread of CWD. Unfortunately, CWD is nor a virus or bacteria but is a twisted prion which is very hard to destroy. It is not a living cell. Takes excess of 1800 degrees to neutralize it. Lysol or chlorox won't destroy it.
CWD can live on surfaces for up to 150 years! If a CWD infected deer urinates and a plant grows in that spot, then another deer eats that plant it can contract CWD.
All deer have to do is touch noses once to transfer it.
This is all according to scientists and biologists. I used to read a lot about it years ago so things may be a little blurry for me now. I had to quit reading all the negative news out there. Was interrupting my joy and peace!

Also, a lot of hunters confuse CWD and EHD (Epizootic Hemorragic Disease), which are two totally different diseases and spread/kill in different ways.

 

[Fordguy]

I have read many, many articles that state CWD is 100% fatal and all animals that contract it will die from it at some time or another.
That being said, as long as it has been in WY and Colorado herds one would think there would be zero elk and deer left on the landscape.

CWD can take a few years to kill whitetails and I've read reports of it taking longer to kill elk. While it won't eliminate cervids from the landscape, it will reduce population and drastically lower the average age of the population as prevalence increases. A number of factors determine how fast prevalence increases, but as the environmental prion load increases, so do the chances for infection.

A significant number of whitetail does have their first estrus before their first birthday, if they breed they have a fawn or two well before their second birthday. I'm pretty sure fawns born to a yearling doe have a higher mortality rate than those born to older more experienced does.

The effects of cwd on population and age structure can take a long time to become apparent in some areas. Age structure in many areas is heavily dependent on hunting pressure. If you don't have many animals over 2 or 3 years old to begin with, a disease that kills animals after a 2 year "incubation" period isn't likely to be very noticeable even if prevalence is close to 50%. Additionally, if you live in an area with a large predator/scavenger (coyote) population, the deer who do succumb to CWD are likely to disappear before you notice a carcass.
There are articles noting the decline of cervid herds in areas of Wyoming with a history and high prevalence of CWD.

 

[BRTreedogs]

No change at all since I’ve owned it. Almost every mature buck that I know makes it through the season shows up the following season as well. There’s been a couple of mature does that like to blow the second I step on the property. I’ve seen zero impact from CWD, that’s why I really question the 100 percent fatal aspect.


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How many deer tested for cwd are still alive?
Have you tested any deer and then released them still alive?

 

[Reburn]

No change at all since I’ve owned it. Almost every mature buck that I know makes it through the season shows up the following season as well. There’s been a couple of mature does that like to blow the second I step on the property. I’ve seen zero impact from CWD, that’s why I really question the 100 percent fatal aspect.


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there are certian deer that have been found to be resistant to catching CWD. Deer breeders in Texas have been selectivly breeding bucks and does with these genetic markers to be resistant. There is a live DNA test that can be done to identify these genes.