sadocf1
03-10-2002, 01:15 PM
As a result of the many misrepresentations and obtuse interpretations, the fallacious and highly suspicious so called "science" espoused by unqualified "experts" in their releases to the media for the purpose of creating false public perception with regard to the age old and still mysterious malady tuberculosis, the Select Study Group (SSG) of the defunct Concerned Citizens of Presque Isle, Alpena, Oscoda, Alcona, and Montmorency Counties TB Infected Zone (CCPIAOAMCTBIZ) has been reorganized and revitalized for the express purpose of providing and disseminating information to the public that refutes, and in many cases actually disproves much of the "official" propaganda supplied by the "PR" Profession and the many "spin doctors"connected with the Bovine Tuberculosis Program.
The members of the old SSGPCITBW (The Select Study Group for the Purpose of Controlling the Incidence of TB in Wildlife) proved their worth with their work on a species-specific genetically modified infertility virus and their endorsement of carrots genetically modified with a vaccine to prevent conception. The ultimate goal of this microbiological warfare was to bring down the overpopulation of deer in the TBIZ, and to reduce the spread of the disease.
The Old Doctor from Hawks, a Fellow of the renowned Bismarck College of Tubercular Knowledge, hailed this unique concept of using one infectious disease to contol the spread of, and possibly eradicate a different disease as an important breakthrough in disease control but warned that although this unprecedented procedure would appear to achieve the desired results, it could also present future reproductive problems in our deer. Caution and further study was advised.
The Old Doctor, an acknowledged expert on animal disease as well as a student of wildlife, a modest, unassuming man, recommended the introduction of cougar and timber wolves, which he felt would solve the problem with no unwanted side effects, as carnivores are deadend "hosts" of the TB germ, and when the disease was no longer a problem in deer the DNR could declare open season on the carnivores and sell permits to hunt them to recoup the expense of introducing these species.
He also cited recent studies conducted by MSU Scientists indicating that although research efforts into the epidemiology of TB favor a model of "social facilitation", whereby deer, which congregate in high concentrations (Around a Feed Pile) are presumed to be at greater risk of being exposed to TB. However, management options based on this model may not produce the results desired, as much of the existing research has failed to consider basic behavioral and ecological characteristics of White Tailed deer. The primary factor underlying spatial structure in White Tailed deer involves the species matriarchal social structure and relatively strong philopatry and site fidelity of females. If disease incidence is related to social contact, then individuals at greatest risk to TB infection may be members of extended family groups (i.e.; females and attendant young and females of the same matrilineal group).
At their meeting to re-organize the SSG, it was deemed necessary to increase membership in order to efficiently cover all aspects of the Program, and a committee was named to screen new members to prevent any infiltration by Program spies. After much discussion, it was deemed necessary to implant members with electronic identification disks similar to those being used currently to identify cattle and sheep, as a guarantee against enemy infiltration at SSG meetings. A computer could not only screen, but could eliminate roll call, making more time for urgent business.
Now that SSG is back in business, let this be a warning to "spin doctors", and a promise to the public that the truth shall prevail!
Discussion concernig the NRC's decision to allow the use of 1 gallon of "bait" in the 452 area for the 2001 deer season, and the highly critical attitude of Farm Bureau and other "experts" to that decision was greeted with amusement by SSG members. They felt that criticism was justified, but for entirely different reasons. To restrict hunters to only 1 gallon of "bait" in the "club country", where the incidence of infected deer was/is the greatest, when in the rest of the Infected Zone hunters are using 5 or 10 gallons of "bait" (they spread it about a bit) made no sense whatever but exemplifies the reasoning of our politically appointed officials!!
The members of the old SSGPCITBW (The Select Study Group for the Purpose of Controlling the Incidence of TB in Wildlife) proved their worth with their work on a species-specific genetically modified infertility virus and their endorsement of carrots genetically modified with a vaccine to prevent conception. The ultimate goal of this microbiological warfare was to bring down the overpopulation of deer in the TBIZ, and to reduce the spread of the disease.
The Old Doctor from Hawks, a Fellow of the renowned Bismarck College of Tubercular Knowledge, hailed this unique concept of using one infectious disease to contol the spread of, and possibly eradicate a different disease as an important breakthrough in disease control but warned that although this unprecedented procedure would appear to achieve the desired results, it could also present future reproductive problems in our deer. Caution and further study was advised.
The Old Doctor, an acknowledged expert on animal disease as well as a student of wildlife, a modest, unassuming man, recommended the introduction of cougar and timber wolves, which he felt would solve the problem with no unwanted side effects, as carnivores are deadend "hosts" of the TB germ, and when the disease was no longer a problem in deer the DNR could declare open season on the carnivores and sell permits to hunt them to recoup the expense of introducing these species.
He also cited recent studies conducted by MSU Scientists indicating that although research efforts into the epidemiology of TB favor a model of "social facilitation", whereby deer, which congregate in high concentrations (Around a Feed Pile) are presumed to be at greater risk of being exposed to TB. However, management options based on this model may not produce the results desired, as much of the existing research has failed to consider basic behavioral and ecological characteristics of White Tailed deer. The primary factor underlying spatial structure in White Tailed deer involves the species matriarchal social structure and relatively strong philopatry and site fidelity of females. If disease incidence is related to social contact, then individuals at greatest risk to TB infection may be members of extended family groups (i.e.; females and attendant young and females of the same matrilineal group).
At their meeting to re-organize the SSG, it was deemed necessary to increase membership in order to efficiently cover all aspects of the Program, and a committee was named to screen new members to prevent any infiltration by Program spies. After much discussion, it was deemed necessary to implant members with electronic identification disks similar to those being used currently to identify cattle and sheep, as a guarantee against enemy infiltration at SSG meetings. A computer could not only screen, but could eliminate roll call, making more time for urgent business.
Now that SSG is back in business, let this be a warning to "spin doctors", and a promise to the public that the truth shall prevail!
Discussion concernig the NRC's decision to allow the use of 1 gallon of "bait" in the 452 area for the 2001 deer season, and the highly critical attitude of Farm Bureau and other "experts" to that decision was greeted with amusement by SSG members. They felt that criticism was justified, but for entirely different reasons. To restrict hunters to only 1 gallon of "bait" in the "club country", where the incidence of infected deer was/is the greatest, when in the rest of the Infected Zone hunters are using 5 or 10 gallons of "bait" (they spread it about a bit) made no sense whatever but exemplifies the reasoning of our politically appointed officials!!