LAST UPDATED: May 8th, 2015
Just weeks after the state of Minnesota announced its first confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a wild deer, the state of Maryland just confirmed the same within its own borders. Is this madness ever going to stop!
On February 10th, 2011, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received the laboratory confirmation from a wild deer that was taken by a hunter in November of 2010. The deer was taken in the Green Ridge State Forest, Alleghany County, Maryland.
Paul Peditto, Director of Maryland’s DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service recently addressed the situation stating, “Our team of wildlife professionals has been preparing for this result for some time so we are well-informed and ready to limit the impact of this event. We have sampled intensively for this disease and see this as an unfortunate but somewhat inevitable outcome. The good news is that our preparation and planning ensure a sound scientific foundation for our response to this single positive test result. With the continued cooperation of hunters, farmers, deer processors and landowners who have supported our monitoring effort, we will manage this deer disease consistent with the best available science and with minimal impact on our deer population and the people who enjoy these great animals.”
While it is still unclear at this time what response the Maryland DNR will have to combat this disease, Peditto would conclude, “Maryland will continue to work closely with the wildlife professionals in our adjacent states to share information and coordinate response efforts. However, our primary goal is to ensure the public is fully-informed and knows what we know when we know it. We want to be certain that every interested Marylander understands this disease and recognizes that there is no risk to people, pets or domestic livestock. As in every other state with CWD, we will respond appropriately while ultimately learning to live with this disease with little impact to our wildlife or citizens.”
The state of Maryland has been testing its wild whitetail deer population since 1999, in which nearly 6,800 animals have been tested. In 2010, following the recent positive CWD cases in nearby West Virginia and Virginia, sampling efforts concentrated on the Alleghany and western Washington County areas.
Bowhunting.Com would like to hear from its many followers from the great state of Maryland. Does this confirmed case of CWD within your state alarm you? What efforts would you like to see your DNR take to combat this disease? As always, please leave your comments below. Thank you!
