Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

This article is written to help you to better understand Chronic Wasting Disease.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease that is transmittable between mule deer, whitetail deer, moose and elk. The disease produces small brain lesions resulting in loss of weight, failure of bodily functions, abnormal behavior and death. Chronic wasting in deer is similar to mad cow disease. While it has been reported that humans, cattle and other livestock are resistant to catching the disease, do not take chances.

Studies have indicated that an abnormal cellular form of protein that is found in the nervous system and lymph tissues causes CWD. It is not known how it is transmitted, but chronic wasting disease is expected to be passed along through saliva, excrement or urine. There is also speculation that it may be passed from doe to fawn before birth.

Some of the final signs of the disease can cause a deer to look starved even though there is plenty of food. Affected deer may look lethargic, hold their heads down, have droopy ears and even drool. The disease usually runs its course over a few years. The end result is always death for the affect animal.

The disease had been thought to be limited to three states with small isolated areas in other locales, but it has also shown up in commercial game farms in several states. The disease has been eliminated in many of those game farms. Although the disease was discovered in the late 60's in isolated areas of Wyoming and Colorado, it has affected on average only about 6% of the deer population from those states.

Wildlife managers are constantly monitoring and testing wild deer and elk for the disease. There are many states with active plans to irradiate Chronic Deer Wasting.

The following areas have current information regarding CWD:

Precautionary measures for hunters if hunting in an effected area:

Don't shoot, handle or eat an elk or deer that is acting strange or looks sick
Immediately call your local state office if you see sick game
Wear rubber gloves when field dressing a deer
Don't use a saw knife to cut through the brain or spine
Bone out game meat, don't saw through bones
Remove lymph nodes by cutting away fatty tissue and web membrane material
Remove all internal organs
Don't eat the organs such as the brain, spine tissues, eyes, spleen or lymph nodes
Do not use regular kitchen knives
Thoroughly clean hunting knives and equipment then disinfect with a solution of 50% water to 50% household bleach. Soak knives and equipment for at least one hour.
Wash down game processing table with clean 50% bleach solution
Wash hands and tools thoroughly after handling and processing game
If you'll be sawing the antlers, dispose of the blade afterwards
Dispose of the hide and organs properly