blake
Life Member
From the Iowa DNR:
Hunters Asked to Donate Deer Tissue as DNR Monitors for Chronic Wasting Disease
CHARITON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will again be collecting deer heads during the two shotgun deer seasons looking for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease. Iowa's shotgun deer seasons are the prime time for collection because of the large number of hunters in the field and of deer harvested.
In 2009, 3,752 wild deer samples were collected and tested at the National Veterinary Services Lab, in Ames. None of the samples showed any signs of the disease.
"Hunter participation is completely voluntary," said Tom Litchfield, state deer biologist for the DNR. "For the hunters willing to provide deer heads for testing, we are thankful."
The DNR will be collecting heads in all 99 counties, but an emphasis will be placed on seven Mississippi River border counties from Allamakee County to Scott County, due to the proximity of CWD in Wisconsin and Illinois.
The DNR will also increase the number of samples collected in Appanoose and Taylor counties after CWD was detected in a captive whitetail in Linn County, Mo.
CWD is a brain disease that can infect deer, elk and moose. Normal proteins in the brain take on a different shape that causes microscopic holes to form in the brains of infected animals. The disease is always fatal although it may be dormant within an infected animal for long periods of time.
Animals in later stages of CWD will appear severely emaciated, lethargic and display repetitive behaviors. Excessive thirst and salivation, tremors, extreme behavior changes, and drooping head and ears are also often displayed.
"If anyone sees a deer displaying these symptoms should contact the DNR immediately," Litchfield said.
There is no evidence that humans can contract CWD by eating venison. However, the National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that hunters do not eat the brain, eyeballs or spinal cord of deer, that they wear protective gloves while filed dressing game and bone out meat for consumption.
Since 2003, the DNR has submitted tissue samples from more than 33,500 wild deer and none have tested positive. No wild or captive animal has ever been diagnosed with CWD in Iowa. Iowa is an important part of the national CWD surveillance and monitoring effort.
Hunters Asked to Donate Deer Tissue as DNR Monitors for Chronic Wasting Disease
CHARITON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will again be collecting deer heads during the two shotgun deer seasons looking for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease. Iowa's shotgun deer seasons are the prime time for collection because of the large number of hunters in the field and of deer harvested.
In 2009, 3,752 wild deer samples were collected and tested at the National Veterinary Services Lab, in Ames. None of the samples showed any signs of the disease.
"Hunter participation is completely voluntary," said Tom Litchfield, state deer biologist for the DNR. "For the hunters willing to provide deer heads for testing, we are thankful."
The DNR will be collecting heads in all 99 counties, but an emphasis will be placed on seven Mississippi River border counties from Allamakee County to Scott County, due to the proximity of CWD in Wisconsin and Illinois.
The DNR will also increase the number of samples collected in Appanoose and Taylor counties after CWD was detected in a captive whitetail in Linn County, Mo.
CWD is a brain disease that can infect deer, elk and moose. Normal proteins in the brain take on a different shape that causes microscopic holes to form in the brains of infected animals. The disease is always fatal although it may be dormant within an infected animal for long periods of time.
Animals in later stages of CWD will appear severely emaciated, lethargic and display repetitive behaviors. Excessive thirst and salivation, tremors, extreme behavior changes, and drooping head and ears are also often displayed.
"If anyone sees a deer displaying these symptoms should contact the DNR immediately," Litchfield said.
There is no evidence that humans can contract CWD by eating venison. However, the National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that hunters do not eat the brain, eyeballs or spinal cord of deer, that they wear protective gloves while filed dressing game and bone out meat for consumption.
Since 2003, the DNR has submitted tissue samples from more than 33,500 wild deer and none have tested positive. No wild or captive animal has ever been diagnosed with CWD in Iowa. Iowa is an important part of the national CWD surveillance and monitoring effort.