First- upon reading numerous threads concerning Wisconsin's DNR, it's obvious many posters don't agree with their proposals and reasoning in regards to our deer population. Many don't believe in the SAK system and even feel the DNR is trying to reduce a herd that doesn't need to be downsized. They simply don't trust or like the DNR.
Second- when CWD came onto the scene in Wisconsin and the DNR wanted an eradication program started, most people balked at the idea and demanded more testing and research. If, and only if, the disease was confined to one region of the state and proven
not to be a natural disease that we've lived with for years would people agree to an eradication zone.
Although it is very, very early to determine the area where CWD exists, we've had positive confirmations that began in Mt. Horeb and surrounding areas. Several months later, we've seen positives among wild deer in nearby Grant County and even into Illinois where 3 new cases have shown up. Without looking at my atlas, I believe all these cases are within a reasonable distance of each other. A distance where CWD could have spread within the 3-5 years it has supposedly been here.
Now albeit very early in the testing process, early test results have shown no wild deer to have CWD outside the southwest portion of Wisconsin or nearby Illinois counties. Minnesota has had several hundred (400?)tests come back negative- the only positive being a penned elk in Aiken County. Wisconsin has only had penned animals outside the hot zone test positive- except for the 1 suspicious test.
And even the penned animals stated by the DNR as testing positive are being questioned. Stan Hall, owner of a game farm near Almond, WI, had a deer that tested positive. Half of that brain stem went to the state DNR where they
claim it tested positive. Hall never actually saw the test. He was simply told the deer had CWD. Hall sent the other half to a pathologist named Laura(?) Williams who is credited with discovering CWD years ago. Her test results state that same deer was negative for CWD. Hall is now demanding legal action to provide proof of the DNR's tests and stop sharpshooters from destroying his herd.
Finally- some of you at HuntingNet stated you would consider an eradication plan if it was shown CWD was only found in wild deer in a certain region. As I stated, early results indicate that it is only being found in southwest WI and nearby Illinois counties. If this trend continues, would you still agree to an eradication effort? A strong dislike for the DNR and suspicions being raised by Mr. Hall may lead some to believe the DNR is "hiding" something. Comments?
P.S.- sorry for the long post!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>