Pinefarm
04-27-2002, 05:46 AM
DNR asks landowners to stop feeding deer
Bazzell hopes to slow spread of disease in southwest Wisconsin
By Associated Press
Last Updated: April 26, 2002
Madison - The secretary of the state Department of Natural Resources asked landowners in southwest Wisconsin Friday to voluntarily stop feeding deer in an effort to help stem the spread of a fatal brain disease in the herd.
Darrell Bazzell also said the agency will begin issuing permits to landowners next month that will allow unlimited numbers of deer to be killed in an effort to try to eradicate chronic wasting disease.
Bazzell acknowledged the DNR's decision to immediately authorize killing thousands of deer in a 415-square-mile area of Dane and Iowa counties was drastic.
"But our best chance of getting ahead of this disease is to act swiftly and decisively," he said.
The DNR will begin issuing the special hunting permits the week of May 6, Bazzell said. The permits will allow landowners to kill as many deer as possible and designate other hunters to help. DNR sharpshooters will be available to help too, Bazzell said.
The DNR announced Feb. 28 that three bucks shot by hunters last November near Mount Horeb tested positive for the disease, sometimes referred to as mad deer disease. In March and April, landowners and DNR sharpshooters killed 516 deer in that area and found that 11 had the disease, which causes deer to grow thin, act abnormal and is fatal.
Putting food out for deer, while a hobby for some people, promotes the spread of the disease because it bunches up deer, Bazzell said.
He asked landowners to not only stop the practice but also to remove any feed already on the land.
Also Friday, Michigan officials said they will prohibit imports of deer and elk into the state for one year because of the chronic wasting disease outbreak.
Michigan has about 900 deer and elk farming operations that receive imported animals. No cases of the disease have been found in Michigan.
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on April 27, 2002.
Bazzell hopes to slow spread of disease in southwest Wisconsin
By Associated Press
Last Updated: April 26, 2002
Madison - The secretary of the state Department of Natural Resources asked landowners in southwest Wisconsin Friday to voluntarily stop feeding deer in an effort to help stem the spread of a fatal brain disease in the herd.
Darrell Bazzell also said the agency will begin issuing permits to landowners next month that will allow unlimited numbers of deer to be killed in an effort to try to eradicate chronic wasting disease.
Bazzell acknowledged the DNR's decision to immediately authorize killing thousands of deer in a 415-square-mile area of Dane and Iowa counties was drastic.
"But our best chance of getting ahead of this disease is to act swiftly and decisively," he said.
The DNR will begin issuing the special hunting permits the week of May 6, Bazzell said. The permits will allow landowners to kill as many deer as possible and designate other hunters to help. DNR sharpshooters will be available to help too, Bazzell said.
The DNR announced Feb. 28 that three bucks shot by hunters last November near Mount Horeb tested positive for the disease, sometimes referred to as mad deer disease. In March and April, landowners and DNR sharpshooters killed 516 deer in that area and found that 11 had the disease, which causes deer to grow thin, act abnormal and is fatal.
Putting food out for deer, while a hobby for some people, promotes the spread of the disease because it bunches up deer, Bazzell said.
He asked landowners to not only stop the practice but also to remove any feed already on the land.
Also Friday, Michigan officials said they will prohibit imports of deer and elk into the state for one year because of the chronic wasting disease outbreak.
Michigan has about 900 deer and elk farming operations that receive imported animals. No cases of the disease have been found in Michigan.
Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on April 27, 2002.