Sheds and CWD

[SHEDHEAD]

With all the talk about Chronic Wasting Disease, it kind of hit me today as I was adimiring a nice 65" shed that had been freshly dropped (fresh blood on the antler base as well as that flesh/skin ring) that maybe CWD will become an issue with sheds. I'm just curious if anyone has seen anyting on this.

[MadisonB&C]

[This message has been edited by MadisonB&C (edited 03-14-2002).]

[MadisonB&C]

I really don't think it will be a big issue. When an effected animal dies or leaves droppings or urine, it all usually gets eaten again somehow. If it's eaten by an animal that is suceptible to the disease, it will spread. I'm pretty sure this is the primary way that CWD spreads. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Baker]

I think that CWD in deer is similar to BSE (Mad Cow Disease) in Cattle. An animal would have to ingest nervous tissue (which is throughout the animal) of an infected animal in order to get the disease. There may be more to it though.

[SHEDHEAD]

I think there are many "unknowns" about CWD but inevitably we will be finding more out about it as they continue to study it. It will definitely be interesting to see if it will affect shed hunting.