Another free-ranging Michigan deer has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.
“This news is not surprising,” said Dr. Steve Schmitt, DNR wildlife veterinarian. “The good news is that all three deer came from the same small area.” All three deer are related and were found in a one mile radius in Ingham County.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, moose and elk. It is not a threat to humans.
“We have focused our efforts thus far in the area around the first case,” Schmitt continued. ”We need individuals who have always hunted in Ingham County and surrounding counties to keep hunting.”
Drew YoungeDyke is with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. He says hunters should support state efforts to reduce the deer herd in the area in Ingham County where the infected deer have been found.
“Most hunters don’t want to see so many deer in one little area have to be killed,” says YoungeDyke. “But that’s going to be the hard thing we’re going to have to go through in the short term now if we don’t have more serious, long term impacts in the deer herd down the line.”
Wildlife officials are hoping to isolate and eliminate the deer population exposed to CWD. Otherwise, the disease could potentially spread in Michigan.
