The dreaded chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer is creeping ever closer to Alabama, although it has so far never been detected within state borders.
Game managers, hunters and those who like to see game are worried that the deadly disease could reduce the deer here, as in some other countries where outbreaks have become intense.
According to Alabama’s DCNR, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) in Mississippi recently received “suspiciously positive” CWD test results for two hunter-gatherer crops from the counties of Tippah and Alcorn in northeastern Mississippi. This is the first CWD-positive detection for the provinces. According to a press release from MDWFP, the samples will be sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for final confirmation.
This is the first suspected CWD-positive case in white-tailed deer within 40 miles of the Alabama state line. The Alabama Division of Game and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has tested more than 11,000 deer since 2002.
As part of WFF’s CWD Strategic Surveillance and Response Plan, CWD surveillance efforts were stepped up in Alabama after deer in Mississippi and Tennessee tested positive for the disease in 2018. The heightened surveillance effort continues, including collecting samples of hunter-gatherer deer, road kill deer, and sick deer reported to WFF by the public.
Hunters are encouraged to use self-service CWD sampling stations throughout the state as part of WFF’s CWD surveillance effort. Visit www.outdooralabama.com/cwd-sampling for an updated map with directions to the CWD sample stations and instructions on how to submit a sample.
CWD is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs in most deer species, including elk, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. It is contagious and always deadly. It is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and is similar to mad cow disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep. These diseases cause irreversible damage to brain tissue leading to salivary secretion, neurological symptoms, relief and death of the animal.
Deer infected with CWD can spread the disease to other deer even before symptoms develop. It can take one to two years for infected animals to become symptomatic. When symptoms occur, they may include emasculation, lethargy, and abnormal behavior. Other signs include excessive salivation, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, excessive thirst and urination, and drooping head / ears.
Hunters and the general public are encouraged to be on the lookout for deer that look sick, listless or unusually thin and report their location to ADCNR.
The state also made it illegal to import any carcasses or bone structures into the state, although deboned meat is allowed. There are several quotes this year for hunters who violate this rule after hunting in other states.
Alabama’s deer season continues in much of the state until Feb. 10. The late season is considered by many savvy hunters as the best time to bag money due to the last jerk period and the frequent cold weather, both of which encourage money to move in daylight.
More information about CWD can be found at www.outdooralabama.com/CWD-Info.
BASS Names are more part of the 2021 Fishing Tour High School
BASS officials have unveiled the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series 2021 schedule, which will give young anglers the opportunity to compete on the same waters as the first sportfishing tournaments hosted.
The Bassmaster High School series will include four regular season events. The one-day tournaments will take place on February 27 at Harris Chain of Lakes, May 2 at Lake Cumberland and June 26 at Lay Lake, the site of four Bassmaster Classics. An event on June 12 is also being held on the northern fishery that will be announced soon.
Due to the rising popularity of the trails, the field size will again be limited to 250 boats for high school. Each high school event will also include a field of up to 50 boats for participants ranging from second to eighth grade as part of the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series.
Online registration for the high school and junior series will open January 12th. Visit Bassmaster.com for more information.