Maryland CWD

[osprey]

I'm guessing everybody heard about the positive CWD test from a deer up in Green Ridge this year, but I thought this was interesting. I know states don't allow whole carcasses to be imported from CWD states, but never heard of the heads for taxidermists. Isn't too clear, not sure if this allows NC guys to bring home caped hides and antler caps?

Off today's Outdoor Wire...

RALEIGH, N.C. - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is alerting citizens that a white-tailed deer in Maryland has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). As a result, North Carolina taxidermists can no longer accept full heads for mounts from Maryland and must inform wildlife officers if they receive one.

In addition, anyone bringing a deer from Maryland, or the other states and Canadian provinces where CWD has been detected, must follow North Carolina processing and packaging regulations.

States where CWD has been detected include Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Utah, West Virginia, Virginia, North Dakota, Missouri, New York, Kansas, Michigan and, now, Maryland. It has also been detected in Canada's Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission tested about 1,400 free-ranging white-tailed deer for CWD in 2009, and no CWD was found.

For more information on Chronic Wasting Disease, including safety tips, visit www.cwd-info.org. For more information on the CWD case in Maryland, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' website.

Taxidermists should call 1-800-662-7137 to report receipt of a full head from Maryland.

[THE DEER HUNTER]

How exactly would sending a taxidermist a head spread the disease, or bringing the entire deer for that matter? Guess I'm not quite sure how the disease is spread.

[nalley1952]

That just means that they can only bring the hide and skull cap back. This is the rule for several western states. I believe the disease is transmitted through mucus and brain and spinal fluid.

[osprey]

Frank, the carcass' are a worry because it's spread also through bones and blood. The worry is that a hunter will bring a positive CWD deer back from another state that appears otherwise healthy, then after home butchering toss the bones and hide in the woods where it could spread to local herds. That's how they think it's jumped some of the big spaces when it shows up in new areas. I would think most taxidermists dispose of waste differently, but I guess there's always a chance a smaller taxidermist could just toss the skulls.

[daveg]

Deer Hunter, et al,

Google the term "prion" and you'll learn all you'll ever need to know about CWD and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.