Two more cases of CWD have been found in Lauderdale County
Last week, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) reported that two more cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been discovered in Lauderdale County. The ADCNR announced that the two additional cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) were found in hunter harvested, white-tailed deer in northern Lauderdale County in northwest Alabama. The two additional deer bring Alabama’s total number of confirmed CWD cases to five. CWD in Alabama’s deer herd was first detected in Lauderdale County in January 2022. After the first case was confirmed, all of Lauderdale and Colbert counties were designated as a CWD Management Zone (CMZ). According to the state, during the 2023-2024 hunting season, samples were collected from more than 1,700 white-tailed deer harvested statewide, with 420 collected within the CMZ. One of the positive samples was submitted during the second CMZ mandatory sampling weekend on December 2-3. A hunter voluntarily submitted The other positive sample at a drop-off sampling location as part of ADCNR’s ongoing CWD monitoring efforts. The next mandatory sampling weekend in the buffer zone of the CMZ is set for January 6-7, 2024. Chris Blankenship is the ADCNR Commissioner. In the most recent statement he noted “I would like to thank hunters for their continued support by providing a robust number of samples for CWD testing since the disease was first detected in Alabama.” “Hunters are our most important partners in the management of CWD as we move forward with future deer seasons. We also thank the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for their continued partnership with statewide CWD monitoring. Their assistance by testing the samples allows us to better serve our constituents by providing them with timely information on the distribution and extent of CWD in Alabama.” The state website notes that CWD is a contagious neurological disease of white-tailed deer and other deer species. It belongs to a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The disease is caused by a mutated protein called a prion. It is always fatal for white-tailed deer. The best-known prion disease is mad cow disease – where a major outbreak in Great Britain led to the deaths of thousands of cattle and sheep as well as the deaths of some persons who consumed the infected beef. Unlike Mad Cow Disease, there is no known case of CWD infecting humans who consume infected animals; however, avoid consuming the brain or spinal cord tissue of any deer as a precaution or consuming any meat from a deer that is a confirmed positive CWD infected deer. Among cervids, CWD is a progressive, fatal disease that commonly results in altered behavior due to microscopic changes of the brain of affected animals. An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication. In later stages of the disease, signs may include listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns and, a lack of responsiveness. Hunters should become familiar with Alabama’s CWD testing regulations. To review Alabama’s regulations and the latest information about CWD in the state, visit www.outdooralabama.com/cwd-info To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
State announces mandatory testing in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties for Chronic Wasting Disease
On Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that under Alabama’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone Regulation (220-2-.167), all deer harvested in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties during specific weekends of the 2023-2024 white-tailed deer season must have samples submitted for CWD testing. The mandatory sampling weekends in the High-Risk Zone of the CMZ are November 18-19 and December 2-3, 2023. The mandatory sampling weekends in the Buffer Zone of the CMZ are November 18-19, 2023, and January 6-7, 2024. The mandatory CWD sampling weekends apply to all of Lauderdale and Colbert counties in northwest Alabama. To find the sampling locations within the CMZ, visit ADCNR’s webpage. The dates of the mandatory weekends for the High-Risk Zone and Buffer Zone were selected because they correspond with peaks in Alabama’s deer harvest. Nov. 18-19 is the opening weekend of Alabama’s deer season in Northwest Alabama. The selection of Jan 6-7 is timed with the rut in northwest Alabama. The rut is when the most does (female deer) are most likely to be in estrus; thus, the deer are focused on mating and are less cautious about possible threats – like hunters. Outside those weekends, hunters are encouraged to voluntarily drop off samples for testing at the self-service freezers in the appropriate CMZ zone. All deer harvested by hunters on public land in the CMZ must be sampled throughout the season. Those public lands include the Freedom Hills WMA, Lauderdale WMA, Seven-Mile Island WMA, Cherokee Physically Disabled Hunting Area, and Riverton Community Hunting Area. To prevent the spread of CWD, there are also restrictions in place under the CWD regulation that prohibit the transport of deer carcasses and deer parts in the CMZ. Deer harvested within the High-Risk Zone must remain and be disposed of within the High-Risk Zone. Deer harvested within the Buffer Zone must remain and be disposed of within the CMZ. Deboned meat, cleaned skull plates, and raw hides with no visible brain or spinal cord tissue may be taken outside of these zones. Transporting deer carcasses out of the management zone can potentially spread CWD to currently unaffected areas. To hunt deer in any part of Alabama requires being in possession of a valid hunting license. There are also reporting requirements under Game Check in place statewide. CWD is a contagious neurological disease of white-tailed deer and other deer species such as elk, axis deer, mule deer, etc. CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease similar to scrapie in sheep and mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy – BSE) in cattle. The disease is caused by a mutated protein called a prion. Chronic Wasting Disease is 100% fatal in white-tailed deer. The prions accumulate in the brain, leading to the onset of symptoms that grow progressively worse over time. Based on the experience with BSE in Great Britain, there is a potential risk to humans who consume the prion-contaminated meats. For this reason, it is not recommended that anyone consume the brain or spinal cord tissue of any deer. The carcass of a known CWD-positive deer should also not be consumed as a precaution. To date, there has not been any known instance of a human becoming sick from CWD. The first CWD-positive deer in Alabama’s deer herd was detected in Lauderdale County in January 2022. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
All deer killed in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties this weekend must be tested for CWD
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced that all deer harvested in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties this weekend must be tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Under Alabama’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone Regulation (220-2-.167), all deer harvested in the High-Risk Zone and the Buffer Zone of the state’s CWD Management Zone (CMZ) must be submitted for CWD testing during specific weekends of the 2022-2023 white-tailed deer season. This is one of those weekends. The mandatory sampling weekends in the High-Risk Zone of the CMZ are November 19-20 and December 3-4, 2022. The mandatory sampling weekends in the Buffer Zone of the CMZ are November 19-20, 2022, and January 7-8, 2023. The mandatory CWD sampling weekends apply to all of Lauderdale and Colbert counties in northwest Alabama. To find a sampling location near you within the CMZ, visit www.outdooralabama.com/cwd/cwd-zone-map. The mandatory weekends for the High-Risk Zone and Buffer Zone correspond with peaks in Alabama’s deer harvest – the season’s opening weekend and the rut in northwest Alabama. While it is not required to test for CWD outside of those weekends, hunters are still encouraged to voluntarily drop off samples for testing at the self-service freezers located in the appropriate CMZ zone. All deer harvested by hunters on public land in the CMZ are required to be sampled throughout the entire season. Those public lands include the Freedom Hills WMA, Lauderdale WMA, Seven-Mile Island WMA, and Riverton Community Hunting Area. Carcass restrictions are also in place under the CWD regulation that prohibits the transport of deer carcasses and deer parts in the CMZ. Deer harvested within the High-Risk Zone must remain and be disposed of within the High-Risk Zone. Deer harvested within the Buffer Zone must remain and be disposed of within the CMZ. Hunters may take deboned meat, cleaned skull plates, and raw hides with no visible brain or spinal cord tissue outside of these zones. Transporting deer carcasses outside of the management zone can potentially spread CWD to currently unaffected areas. Hunting license and Game Check requirements apply to all white-tailed deer harvests statewide. CWD is a contagious neurological disease of white-tailed deer and other deer species. It belongs to a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The disease is caused by a mutated protein called a prion. It is always fatal for white-tailed deer. The best-known prion disease is mad cow disease. Unlike Mad Cow Disease, there is no known case of CWD infecting humans who consume infected animals; however, avoid consuming the brain or spinal cord tissue of any deer as a precaution. The first case of CWD in Alabama’s deer herd was detected in Lauderdale County in January 2022. Below is a list of mobile CWD sampling locations in the High-Risk Zone and the Buffer Zone. Lauderdale WMA (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) – HRZ 7001 County Road 14 Waterloo, AL 35677 Florence Frozen Meats (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) – HRZ 1050 S. Court St. Florence, AL 35630 34.789636; -87.670613 Cloverdale VFW (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) – HRZ 11370 Highway 157 Florence, AL 35633 Freedom Hills WMA (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) – BZ 4200 White Pike Cherokee, AL 35616 Cherokee VFW (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) – BZ 1455 6th St. Cherokee, AL 35616 North Alabama Deer Shack Processor (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) – BZ 407 Tracey Ln Rogersville, AL 35652 Highway 247 VFW (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) – BZ 4655 Highway 247 Tuscumbia, AL 35674 For more information about CWD in Alabama, visit www.outdooralabama.com/cwd-info. ADCNR has four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Public meeting on Chronic Wasting Disease set for September 22 in Florence
Deer hunters are encouraged to attend a meeting in Florence hosted by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). The public meeting will be in Florence, Alabama, on Thursday, September 22, to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) detected in Lauderdale County earlier this year. Two cases were found in northern Alabama this year, just four years after the deer disease was first discovered in Mississippi. CWD is a transmissible disease found to affect deer, elk, and other cervids. It is believed to be caused by an infectious prion and has an extended incubation period. Diagnosis requires examination of brain and lymphatic tissue. Infected deer become emaciated, behave erratically, and eventually die. CWD is caused by a denatured protein called a prion. The best-known prion disease is “Mad cow disease” (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) which devastated the beef and dairy industry in Great Britain after it killed a number of people who had eaten the affected meat. Controlling the disease did enormous damage to the agricultural economy in Great Britain and resulted in government orders to destroy 4.5 million cattle. Most diseases are infectious diseases where a pathogen invades the body, and the immune system fights the invading species. Prions are not well understood but build up in the brain and spinal system until it hits a critical mass, and the animal goes into an inevitable decline. Since a prion is not a living thing, it remains even after the deer has died. Deer are contaminated from exposure to the corpse of dead deer who were infected with CWD. Many unethical hunters take the meat from a deer they have harvested and dump the head and other parts in the woods. If that deer were infected with CWD, the prions will remain. USDA research on CWD shows that it can remain in the soil for decades; thus, a property that has had CWD-infected deer on it likely will still have the CWD prions decades later, even if the area was completely depopulated with cervids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports no strong evidence that CWD can infect humans. Researchers have been able to infect squirrel monkeys and laboratory mice with CWD. As a precaution, no brain or spinal cord materials should be consumed by humans. ADCNR has regulations against importing deer, elk, mule deer, moose, or other cervid meat from states infected with CWD unless it is completely deboned. The regulations are designed to prevent the spread of CWD to Alabama, but to be effective, everyone must participate. The meeting will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the University of North Alabama’s Norton Auditorium, located at 1 Harrison Plaza. The public and media are both encouraged to attend. WFF officials will provide an overview of ADCNR’s response to CWD, including a new hunting regulation and the CWD Management Zone covering Lauderdale and Colbert counties. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session. Due to CWD detection in Lauderdale County, ADCNR enacted a new regulation for Lauderdale and Colbert counties, as outlined in Alabama’s CWD Surveillance and Response Plan during the remainder of the 2021-2022 hunting season. All of Lauderdale and Colbert counties are designated as a CWD Management Zone (CMZ). The area west of U.S. Highway 43 in Lauderdale County to the Mississippi and Tennessee state lines and south to the Tennessee River is designated a High-Risk Zone (HRZ). The remainder of Lauderdale County and all of Colbert County are designated as the Buffer Zone. Last winter, there were no seasonal or daily bag limit restrictions on antlered or unantlered deer within the CMZ. There was also no antler restrictions for deer harvested on privately-owned or open-permit public lands in Lauderdale or Colbert counties through the remainder of the 2021-2022 deer season. Carcasses or other deer parts could not be moved outside the HRZ or CMZ. Small game hunting and waterfowl hunting were closed for the remainder of the 2021-2022 deer season for several of the Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and Community Hunting Areas (CHA) within the zone. ADCNR will reveal new CWD rules for the 2022-2023 hunting season. ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management, and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Bow season begins in October. Check your specific zone for exact season dates. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Second case of deadly deer disease found in NW Alabama
A second case of a disease that’s deadly to deer has been found in Lauderdale County in northwest Alabama, a state agency said, prompting stricter rules about feeding wildlife. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said Monday it was banning baiting and supplemental feeding practices in Lauderdale and Colbert counties in an attempt to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease, which was first found in the state in January. The initial detection prompted testing measures, and the agency said samples were taken from 966 white-tailed deer killed in the two counties during the hunting season. One additional case of the illness was detected, and the state said that was enough to impose additional rules. The disease, which affects the behavior of deer because of microscopic changes in the brain, previously was detected in neighboring Tennessee and Mississippi in 2018. A deer can carry the disease for years without symptoms, and in latter stages, it may cause listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, walking in patterns, and unresponsiveness. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Barry Moore warns Congress of Chronic Wasting Disease threat, cosponsors CWD legislation
Today, Rep. Barry Moore spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to warn of the threat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) poses to deer populations in Alabama. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced it recently found Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a hunter-harvested deer in northwestern Alabama. This is the first case of CWD detected in Alabama’s deer herd and the first time it has been detected in a state that borders Florida. Moore is a co-sponsor of H.R. 5608, the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which passed the House of Representatives last month. According to Congress.gov, the bill “directs USDA to establish a program to research and manage the disease. Under the program, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with state or tribal wildlife agencies and departments of agriculture, institutions of higher education, and research centers to support research on the transmission of, resistance to, and diagnosis of the disease. In addition, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with such agencies and departments to support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies that address the disease.” Moore stated on the House floor, “Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss an important issue in Alabama and across the nation. Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurological disease that affects deer, moose, and elk and is 100 percent fatal. Unfortunately, there is no known cure. CWD could absolutely devastate deer hunting in Alabama and the revenue it brings in each year.” “I am proud to co-sponsor H.R. 5608, the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which passed the House of Representatives last month. This bill will help research and prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from spreading further, protecting Alabama’s deer herds, outdoor economy, and traditions. “Last week, the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease was reported in Alabama. While it is currently only one case, it is important that we do what we can to prevent this terrible disease from spreading even further. I’m hopeful the Senate will answer the call and take up this legislation so important to Alabama and our nation. “I’ll do whatever I can in Washington to help prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from taking hold in Alabama. And with that, I yield back,” Moore concluded. Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), stated, “CWD was first detected in Tennessee and Mississippi in 2018 and has been moving slowly toward Alabama. The Department has implemented multiple proactive regulations to combat the spread into Alabama. Compliance from the public on those measures helped delay the spread into the state for several years.”
State officials warn of deer found with Chronic Wasting Disease in NW Alabama
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced it recently found Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a hunter harvested deer in northwestern Alabama. This is the first case of CWD detected in Alabama’s deer herd and the first time it has been detected in a state that borders Florida. According to the report, CWD is a brain and central nervous disease that is always fatal to deer; it has not been detected in Florida. The disease causes altered behavior due to microscopic changes made to the brain of affected animals. An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication. The FWC is asking for people who plan to hunt deer, elk, moose, caribou, or other members of the deer family outside of Florida to be vigilant in helping reduce the risk of CWD spreading into Florida. Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), stated, “CWD was first detected in Tennessee and Mississippi in 2018 and has been moving slowly toward Alabama. The Department has implemented multiple proactive regulations to combat the spread into Alabama. Compliance from the public on those measures helped delay the spread into the state for several years.” Additionally, Blankenship encouraged hunters to be aware of the zones they are hunting in so that the disease isn’t spread further. Transporting deer carcasses out of the management zone can potentially spread CWD to currently unaffected areas. There are new rules that took effect July 2021 that prohibit importing or possessing whole carcasses or high-risk parts of all species of the deer family originating from any place outside of Florida. Under the new rules people may only import into Florida: De-boned meat Finished taxidermy mounts Clean hides and antlers Skulls, skull caps, and teeth if all soft tissue has been removed The only exception to this rule is deer harvested from a property in Georgia or Alabama that is bisected by the Florida state line AND under the same ownership may be imported into Florida. Chuck Sykes, Director of ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, stated, “The new regulation is intended to increase the opportunities for hunters to supply samples for CWD testing. We need hunters to continue to hunt and submit deer heads for testing. These additional samples will help us better determine the extent of the disease in this area.”
Doug Jones introduces bipartisan bill to help keep Alabama’s deer population healthy
On Thursday U.S. Sen. Doug Jones took a step to tackle one of the largest challenges facing hunters throughout the country — Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Jones introduced a bill in Congress to help to increase wildlife managers’ ability to keep wildlife healthy. The bill authorizes a special resource study to determine how CWD spreads and could be prevented in deer and elk. CWD can affect both wild and domestic herds of deer and elk in 25 states. However, state recommendations for preventing the spread of the disease vary. The bill would give state wildlife agencies and wildlife experts information to conduct targeted research on how the disease is transmitted, determine which areas are most at risk, and develop consistent advice for hunters to prevent further spread. CWD nears Alabama CWD is a deadly neurological illness, similar to mad cow disease, is putting the deer, moose and elk populations at risk. The disease is infectious, communicable, and always fatal. This fall, the disease was discovered in the wild in two deer in east Mississippi for the first time. As of now, the disease has not been detected in any Alabama deer. Alabama state wildlife officials have committed to pay extra attention to deer in Franklin, Lamar and Marion counties — all within a 50-mile radius of where the infected deers were found. Jones’ bill “As an avid outdoorsman and hunter, I am deeply troubled by the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease,” said Jones. “This disease is threatening to impact the wildlife population in Alabama just as it has in a number of other states throughout the country. That’s why it is so vital for the Senate to pass legislation that will ultimately give state and local wildlife officials the tools they need to contain the spread of CWD.” The “Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Study Act” addresses the needs identified by state wildlife agencies. The bill requires the USDA secretary to enter into an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences to review current data and best management practices (BMPs) from the CWD Herd Certification Program and state agencies regarding: Pathways and mechanisms for CWD transmission Areas at risk and geographical patterns of CWD transmission Gaps in current scientific knowledge regarding transmission to prioritize research to address gaps Maine-Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, Texas-Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn , Wyoming-Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, Wisconsin-Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, South Dakota-Republican John Thune, West Virginia-Democrat Joe Manchin, and Mississippi-Republican Roger Wicker all cosponsored the legislation.
