Game Commission: Revised, Draft Chronic Wasting Disease Plan Available For Review

On April 9, the Game Commission released the latest draft of its Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan for a second round of public comments.  Comments are due May 7. 

The draft CWD Response Plan outlines goals and objectives in managing CWD, as well as actions that could be implemented to achieve them.

Potential actions include a statewide ban on feeding deer, including the use of minerals or supplements; a statewide ban on the use or field possession of deer attractants, including natural urine and synthetics; increased hunting opportunities within CWD areas and the removal of deer antler-point restrictions within CWD areas.

If disease-management objectives are not reached through hunting, the post-season, small-scale targeted removal of deer could be conducted in parts of CWD areas where determined necessary.

CWD first was detected in Pennsylvania in 2012. Since then, 460 free-ranging CWD-positive deer have been detected within the state – 452 of them within Disease Management Area 2 in Southcentral Pennsylvania.

At present, Pennsylvania has three active Disease Management Areas (DMAs), totaling more than 8,000 square miles. Within DMAs, specific regulations apply regarding the hunting and feeding of deer. It’s unlawful to intentionally feed deer within a DMA. 

Hunters in DMAs may not use or possess urine-based deer attractants. And deer harvested within a DMA may not be transported out of the DMA unless the carcass parts with the highest risk of transmitting the disease are removed first.

While CWD is always fatal to deer and elk, it is not known to infect people. Still, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends never consuming meat from CWD-positive animals.

Comments on the latest draft of the CWD Response Plan can be submitted through the CWD Response Plan or mailed to the Game Commission ATTN: CWD Plan Comments, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

The Game Commission offers free CWD testing within DMAs. Drop-off locations and other instructions, as well as much more information can be found on the Game Commission’s Chronic Wasting Disease webpage.

[Posted: April 9, 2020]  PA Environment Digest