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QDMA on CWD Recommended Practices for Hunters

31K views 539 replies 35 participants last post by  Steve 
#1 · (Edited)
This came in today and I thought I'd share it.


Chronic Wasting Disease:
Recommended Practices for Deer Hunters



The following information is intended for deer hunters
living or hunting in chronic wasting disease (CWD)
outbreak areas. This information does not cover all that
is known about managing CWD, rather it provides simple
precautions and answers many frequently asked questions
that QDMA has received from hunters in areas affected by
this deadly disease. The information is based around the
Four Cornerstones of Quality Deer Management (QDM)
and how deer hunters can assist in each area. It was compiled
from multiple sources including the CWD Alliance
(CWD-info.org), USGS National Wildlife Health Center
(nwhc.usgs.gov), Michigan DNR (Michigan.gov), and
QDMA (QDMA.com).


HERD MANAGEMENT
One of the most important things we can do once
CWD is detected in a wild deer population is reduce the
spread of the disease and attempt to contain it. CWD is
spread from deer to deer through direct contact, through
contact with the urine, feces, saliva or blood of infected
deer, and through indirect transmission by contact with
contaminated materials like soil, bait piles and mineral
licks. Thus, reducing the spread of disease means reducing
deer density. Significantly reducing deer numbers is never
palatable to hunters, but this step is important for the
future of the deer herd.

Should we shoot most bucks at 1 1/2 years of age to
keep them from maturing?

In outbreak zones, older bucks are two to four times
more likely to have CWD than younger bucks. Therefore,
on paper, the best way to combat the disease is to keep
density low and the age structure young. That means
not allowing bucks or does to mature. However, in reality,
hunters are needed to regulate deer populations, and
many hunters stay engaged for the opportunity to pursue
mature bucks. It is QDMA’s opinion that as long as hunters
continue hunting, shooting antlerless deer, and helping
keep deer herds in check, then it is more beneficial to
have some mature bucks in the affected population than to
shoot all bucks at a young age. If mature bucks are scarce,
some hunters will become less engaged and shoot fewer
antlerless deer. Therefore, QDMA’s recommendation for
hunters is to harvest antlerless deer to help reduce density,
continue protecting yearling bucks if you desire, but apply
increased harvest pressure to all bucks 3½ years or older.

Are healthy deer less susceptible to CWD?
No. Individual deer health does not seem to be a factor.
Healthy or not, if a deer is exposed to a dose of infectious
material, it will likely contract CWD, and it will die
of the disease in one to three years in most cases, if it is
not killed by some other factor first.

Should I eat the venison from deer harvested in a CWD
management zone?

Yes, but only after you receive satisfactory results from
a CWD test. There is currently no evidence CWD has
been transmitted to humans. Nevertheless, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention encourages hunters
in outbreak zones to have each deer tested, and then only
consume the venison if CWD was not detected.

HABITAT MANAGEMENT
There has been very little research on how habitat
management impacts CWD prevalence or spread.

Should we discourage the use of food plots?
No, the science is not strong enough to discourage
food plot use. On the plus side, food plots can assist in
herd management and harvesting antlerless deer. From a
disease standpoint, you do not want to artificially congregate
deer at small sites, as with bait, supplemental feed or
minerals.

Should we discourage the planting of root crops or other
species where multiple deer can take a bite from nearly
the same spot?

Not at this point. No one has studied whether this
enhances disease transmission. However, even in clover
fields or under apple or oak trees where different animals
may not eat from a similar spot, their urine, feces and
saliva can still be deposited in the area for others to come
in contact with and potentially increase the risk of CWD
transmission. Given this, discouraging the use of root
crops, corn, etc. is probably not warranted at this time.

HUNTER MANAGEMENT
CWD is most easily transported via live deer and parts
of infected deer. As hunters, we should oppose movement
of live deer, and we should avoid moving high-risk parts
of dead animals from a known disease area. These parts
include the brain, spine, eyes, spleen, tonsils and lymph
nodes. One of the most important things a hunter who
takes a deer home can do is make certain unused carcass
parts end up at a landfill and not in the environment
where other deer can encounter them.

Why should hunters stay engaged?
It is crucial for hunters to stay engaged to help manage
deer herds. Hunters are the most important deer management
tool, and no wildlife agency can manage deer without
their help.

How can QDM Cooperatives help?
Cooperatives can play a huge role in managing CWD.
Cooperatives provide the perfect venue to share information,
keep hunters engaged, and ensure adequate deer harvest
in their area. Cooperatives are the future of deer management
across the whitetail’s range, and this is especially
true for areas with CWD.

HERD MONITORING
When CWD hits an area, monitoring herd health and
age structure is more important than ever.

How can I monitor the herd in my area?
You can conduct trail-camera and/or observational
surveys to estimate deer density. You can collect harvest
data to monitor changes in age structure and herd productivity
and health. These efforts can be greatly enhanced
through participation in a QDM Cooperative.

What can hunters do to assist with monitoring CWD?
You can support the state wildlife agency’s efforts.
Become informed on the regulations regarding deer harvest
and reporting. Submit all deer you harvest for data
collection and testing at the designated location for your
area. Stay engaged on the issue, inform your neighbors
about the importance of reporting sick deer and following
deer check-in regulations (in both CWD-positive and
negative areas), do your part to harvest antlerless deer, take
advantage of CWD testing offered by the state, and be a
supporting partner of your state wildlife agency.

What is the long-term outlook for CWD in my area?
In the early stages of an outbreak, it is possible to
break the cycle of transmission by rapidly lowering deer
density and hopefully killing any additional infected deer
in the area. However, once the disease is established and
additional cases continue to appear, the goal might be
shifted to continue holding density low and maintaining
a younger age structure to help slow the spread of the
disease. CWD moves slowly through a population, and it
kills individual deer slowly. The impact is not dramatic or
rapid, which is why some hunters believe CWD is not a
serious problem. However, over the course of years, CWD
will gradually grow in prevalence and will eventually
reduce populations.

For now, it’s best for all hunters to focus on preventing
CWD from spreading into new areas. If it arrives,
it’s best to focus on preventing its growth and expansion.
Researchers are currently working to learn more about the
disease, the best methods of control, and the potential for
a CWD vaccine. Hopefully, the years to come will bring us
new understanding and new tools to combat this serious
challenge to whitetails and our deer hunting heritage.

About QDMA
QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed
deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. Founded in 1988,
QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization
with more than 60,000 members in all 50 states and Canada. To
learn more, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com.
 
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#3 ·
Should we shoot most bucks at 1 1/2 years of age to
keep them from maturing?

In outbreak zones, older bucks are two to four times
more likely to have CWD than younger bucks. Therefore,
on paper, the best way to combat the disease is to keep
density low and the age structure young. That means
not allowing bucks or does to mature. However, in reality,
hunters are needed to regulate deer populations, and
many hunters stay engaged for the opportunity to pursue
mature bucks. It is QDMA’s opinion that as long as hunters
continue hunting, shooting antlerless deer, and helping
keep deer herds in check, then it is more beneficial to
have some mature bucks in the affected population than to
shoot all bucks at a young age. If mature bucks are scarce,
some hunters will become less engaged and shoot fewer
antlerless deer.
Therefore, QDMA’s recommendation for
hunters is to harvest antlerless deer to help reduce density,
continue protecting yearling bucks if you desire, but apply
increased harvest pressure to all bucks 3½ years or older.
FL,
First, thanks for posting.
However, this approach appears to differ with that of the scientists (and I am not referring to Munster) that I have read, which say to remove bucks, period.

I have made statements on this site before that I believe that the QDMA has turned into a big buck organization. This furthers my thoughts on that. Unbelievable!

I am sure glad I got out of that organization....

Quality???? Health of the herd, my eye.
 
#8 ·
I live and hunt less than a full county away from the current HOTZONE. I will be listening to the DNR and not some self serving slight of hand theories from a self serving bunch of pseudo experts and elitist arm chair biologists that bend the truth to suit their same old tired mantra . Dressing that old tired mantra up in new clothes changes nothing. That is just what I am going to do, and is my personal opinion. I live too close to the hot zone to listen to those who will not face the reality of the situation we are all about to face.

I have no foodplots or other artificially planted bait piles because I simply see no real world difference between 100 sq ft of loose corn kernels and a small food plot baitpile made only to put the deer in a place where they are easier to shoot. Yep, I firmly believe a legal baitpile as laid out by the DNR and a small "kill plot" are the same darn thing..........go ahead brow beat me for my thoughts....I know you want to.

If the DNR tells me the right thing to do is shoot them all for awhile...so be it. I do not particularly like that thought, but it will not be the first time my area has been devoid of deer. They will come back in time. I would rather the deer go into my freezer and the parts go to the DNR for testing than see them all slaughtered and buried at some future date.

IMO, CWD will make the whole Antlers, MAPR , VAPR argument null and void unless we act now. We can get back into the MAPR argument when the deer herd is healthy again. I have seen what disease can do to a large dairy operation..........the smart move out of the gate is to slaughter first and rebuild later.
 
#13 ·
2 things stand out here

1.The qdma does not manage Michigans deer herd and has no right in putting there opinion in the ring when we already have professionals employed currently tasked with it.
A lot of prolific posters have said that they will hunt by whatever the dnr recommends.
What the qdma thinks or recommends is of little value.
It's funny it's even posted.
Knowing the agendas of some it does not come as a surprise

2. When did the Qdma become proud supporting advertisers here at M-S?
 
#15 ·
It looks like the QDMA sought out information from multiple sources including the Michigan DNR.

I didn't read anything that was contradicting to what I have read here.
I understand that some push the yearling buck harvest thing but imo that looks to have more geared towards different groups and their ideas for game management because they differ from their own.

I think the article points out an important aspect that gets over looked.
If hunters lose interest for whatever reason the CWD problem will become much harder to combat.
If mature bucks hold that interest to stay in the woods it will result in densities being lowered and controlled much more effectively, than if all the mature buck hunters give up on the area or take up another hobby.

I know what I would do. I would spend much less time in Michigan. I'm already doing that as the years go on and lack of mature bucks is the reason.
Not too difficult to see how much more time I would give up to leave the state if I had to deal with cwd.
 
#25 ·
Here is a quote in a thread posted by non other than our famous Farmlegend. I don't see where he said anything about sparing yearlings. I think he understands the need to remove them from the herd. (Hopefully he hasn't changed his mind since posting the QDMA's outline. I suspect he will interject shortly with some words of wisdom.

Farmlegend:

"It can be done. Humans have accomplished more difficult things before.

I invite all interested parties who are supportive of establishing a goal of eradication of deer in the affected area, and execution of an eradication plan, to comment here.

Those who are not supportive of an eradication effort are invited to start their own thread.


Here's a rough outline:

1. Have the MIDNR Director appoint an Eradication Czar to serve as the Chief Executive of the eradication effort. The Czar will have full authority to hire and manage deer sharpshooting contractors, coordinate communication with all stakeholder participants, and all other activities germane to the project. The Czar should possess a verified set of brass testicles to endure, remain unperturbed, and even enjoy whatever hysterical shrieking prissy housewives and PETA members hurl his way.

2. Develop and execute a campaign to solicit private contributions to fund the eradication project.

3. Conduct an intensive education campaign directed to residents of the core area. Provide printed materials, distribute them door-to-door. Get articles published in the local newspaper and any other locally-distributed communications. Hold public meetings in schools, churches, and township halls. Establish an informational website.

The communications should spell out the threat posed by CWD to deer, to the local environment, and, potentially, to humans. Explain what TSE’s are, what CJD is, and how these diseases have jumped species barriers many times, and while there is no evidence that CWD poses a current threat to human health, the same was once said about BSE, or mad cow disease, until it did. Explain what happens to people stricken with CJD.

4. Seek out volunteer homeowners to make their properties available to trained sharpshooters to conduct deer culls in residential neighborhoods. It is not necessary to gain access from every homeowner, not by a long shot. Access to a small number of properties in each square mile section, as well as smart tactical methods aimed at effective eradication, would likely be sufficient to eradicate deer.

5. Engage sufficient trained sharpshooters to execute the deer culls. When culling antlerless deer, select target animals in descending order of perceived dominance hierarchy, which increases the likelihood of killing off an entire family group in a single encounter. Utilize any practical tactic of luring target animals to ambush sites.

6. Engage skilled professional trappers to develop and execute snares and traps to enhance the deer cull efforts.

7. Work with local authorities to gain sharpshooter access to all public lands(township, village, state) for the purpose of executing advanced tactical methods for killing deer.

8. Make contact with owners of commercial, industrial, and vacant lands in the area. Extend the educational efforts to them, and ask for their participation, by way of allowing access to sharpshooters, and to provide access for deer hunters during the hunting seasons.

9. Establish and execute a mechanism for reporting activities to all property owners in the area who cooperate with the program. Be sure to invite them (as well as anyone else who participates in this great project) to the party which will be held once eradication is accomplished, which should take place in the summer of 2016.

10. Conduct an education campaign directed at deer hunters who hunt in the area. Make antlerless tags either free or available for a nominal price, such as $1. Describe again the threats posed by CWD, and share suggestions for hunting methods targeted at maximizing the cull. Develop an incentive program for these hunters. Consider the issuance of elk/bear hunting permit or other prizes to hunters that go above and beyond the call of duty in harvesting deer.

11. Require mandatory disease testing for all animals harvested and all road killed deer in the area.

12. Have the governor of the state, by executive order, declare an emergency which requires waiver of the 450 foot rule in the affected area."
 
#30 ·
Like it or not the Q.D.M.A. is engaged.
Were I owning land with Q.D.M. neighbors their goals would be seriously considered.
Not in that position though yet...nor a member.

Any hunter that would walk away from a local herd needing thinned due to a lack of mature bucks would be utilizing a right of choice within their legal goals.
Any right or wrong in such a decision is not so far removed from those hunters willing to kill less than a mature buck.
Societal desire be damned I guess when "I know what I want" works multiple ways.

Either way. Who is engaged?
CWD does not discriminate greatly enough in it's choice from anything I've read about it enough to debate which age should be sorted out or passed.
Would be another disappointment to find out one deer that was passed became infected though.

Perhaps habitat demands being less following reductions of herd can boost heath some how.
That and so far from suggestions ...greater distribution of space per deer( though they will still interact)
may reduce contact with greater numbers of prions.
 
#36 ·
If my area becomes a hot zone I will do whatever the state recommends...No questions asked...But for now, the unknowns and lack of info that surrounds this little area of MI is no reason to wet myself...Hell by the end of hunting season, I would of thought there would be 30-40 cases by now..Not the case, so business as usual...Not gonna let it engulf my passion and live in fear...I just ordered a 100 trees today..
 
#38 ·
You can't run a business without customers.
Outside a call for herd reduction the rest of qdma's message is business as usual.
A 60k member special interest organization throughout the u.s and Canada?
You think we should dabble smoking weed?
There's no doubt your a pusher.
I'll pass on both.
You can't run a business without a good product either!..News flash, Qdm isn't shrinking!...Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!.....

I've never smoked pot in my life, but it makes some people that use tolerable!...lol...Smoke up Johnny!
 
#40 ·
No (that's how a question is answered by the way), each one is individually handcrafted for the recipient in mind. Obviously you still do not get the parallel and obviously I am being a bit too subtle for the intended subject. MY BAD, I will try harder next time.
 
#41 ·
#43 ·
If my area becomes a hot zone I will do whatever the state recommends...No questions asked...But for now, the unknowns and lack of info that surrounds this little area of MI is no reason to wet myself...Hell by the end of hunting season, I would of thought there would be 30-40 cases by now..Not the case, so business as usual...Not gonna let it engulf my passion and live in fear...I just ordered a 100 trees today..
Sniper, that is what has my ire up on this. The state has a policy to revoke APR's in the CWD zone. For the QDMA to come out with something counter to this is absolutely the wrong message. (I recognize that there are not APR's in the zone, but their message appears to be counter to what the State wants.)

I wonder what our biologists think of this....
 
#44 ·
We are not the first state with cwd....It's been around for a while...What has qdm come out and said before?..This can't be their first thoughts about it....I don't know..If someone knows, I'd like know...This disease I believe is still somewhat mysterious. I think some of our biologists are still miffed on the genetic breakdown of this thing and what to do about it...Otherwise I think there would be some type of federal mandate on cwd for every state to follow. Still way to many variables especially how it affects individual deer within the herd...Just my 2 cents..
 
#47 ·
I would do it again also if it hit the areas I hunt in and am able to do so. As I get older though I realize my interest in deer hunting are fading. I still love the sport, but I can envision my time will drift away from deer hunting, especially if disease becomes prevalent in the herd. Most likely I will end up some where fishing and hunting other species.
 
#65 · (Edited)
You're fixin to get ruined! :D:cool:
 
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#48 ·
Again - this is from a published DNR summary of the Guiding principles drawn from the current state of the science. (http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/threads/dnr-view-of-cwd.555550/)

Read my lips -
Density reductions should target entire family groups (does and their fawns) to minimize the probability of disease persistence, and yearling bucks to minimize the probability of disease spread via dispersal.

Hunter harvest decisions depend most heavily on personal attitudes and are relatively unaffected by agency educational efforts. For these reasons, agency culling is likely to be more effective for controlling CWD than hunter harvest.

Management practices that increase biological carrying capacity may cause CWD to persist and spread...


No ifs and or buts about it - the QDMA position is totally biased, and not founded on sound science - period.
Follow their strategies and YOU will assist in the spread of CWD throughout the state.
<----<<<
 
#49 ·
You sure have a strong belief in people that might be unsure themselves..Does every state that has cwd in its deer herd have the same mandate as MI DNR? If not, why the differences?..I don't know, just asking...Do biologists have this disease so pegged their on the verge of a solution or cure?...If not, the variables are endless....I'm not saying our approach is wrong, I'm saying there are some unknowns..Again my 2 cents
 
#52 ·
For those who still want to eat a CWD deer, IDNR advises against it...

Is it still safe to eat venison from Illinois deer?

There is no scientific evidence that CWD is transmissible through consumption of meat from an infected animal. CWD has not been linked to the human TSE disease, Creutzfeldt - Jakob Disease, in the way that bovine spongiform encephalopathy has been in Europe. The prion that causes CWD accumulates in certain parts of infected animals — the brain, eyes, spinal cord, lymph nodes, tonsils and spleen — and, therefore, these tissues should not be eaten. As a precaution, health officials advise that no part of any animal with evidence of CWD should be consumed by humans or other animals. There is no test that your meat processor can perform to ensure your animal does not have CWD. Experts suggest that hunters take simple, common-sense precautions when field dressing deer:

  • Wear rubber gloves when field dressing carcasses.
  • Bone out the meat from your animal.
  • Minimize the handling of brain and spinal tissues.
  • Wash hands and instruments thoroughly after field dressing is completed.
  • Avoid consuming brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, tonsils and lymph nodes of harvest animals. (Normal field dressing coupled with boning out of a carcass will remove essentially all of these parts.)
 
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#55 ·
Correct...West Virginia also mentioned a well balanced sex ratio herd is better off in fighting disease...Interesting that different states have different opinions in fighting cwd...What we read isn't always concrete that's for sure...
Thanx for posting pinefarm.
 
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