Recent mail received on subjects of CWD, Deer Hunting, Wisconsin DNR policy and related. . .
CWD Disease Control Measures . . .
As an active CWD research director, I can most certainly testify as to the loose and fast use of regulations and foolish disease control measures for trying to control CWD.--RF Texas 10-19-03
Twisting CWD facts . . .
If you want to read a convoluted twisted account of CWD, go read column no.#2 of Hassett's letters on the DNR webpage.The Secretary suggests that they have been checking dead deer for decades for CWD in Wisconsin (wow). Someone needs to tell him that before 1995 or 1996 the IHC staining test for CWD had not even been developed. The truth of the matter by their own account was that no deer from the entire management zone had been tested before it was found in Feb. 2002.
Then go on to read how he dimisses copper as even a contributing factor "there are no data that support the notion that changes in MN\CU levels cause cwd" once again, "there are NO data that support the notion that changes in MN\CU levels cause CWD". It is becoming increasingly evident that elements such as Mn\Cu are playing roles in CWD development, at least to anyone who has done their homework on CWD. . . [such] comments slap well meaning scientists squarely across the face. Scientists unencumbered by [the] departments agenda, who are looking for answers to this condition.
Lastly, I don't see the university listed in the possible ways that CWD could have gotten to Wisconsin.
--MP Iowa County 9-1-03
Hunters quitting the sport due to DNR Policies . . .
Last year at least 75% of the hunters on the farms around us quit not because of cwd- but earn a buck. This is because of the lack of deer and we will not kill just to earn a buck. Most of us will eat one maybe two deer a year and with two hunters in the house once you earn your buck you already have enough deer (to eat).
This will obviously work to increase the herd something the dnr completely ignores. A common sense approach would be your tag is good for what ever you want to take. Then if you want to try for more buck you would have to earn them. This would put more people back in the woods.Also the seasons should revert to traditional times. The way it is set now many don't bow hunt because of the gun hunters and blaze orange requirements and 80% of hunters that dont get their deer opening weekend hang it up anyway. This extended season hurts all other types of outdoor pursuits.
--RW Columbia County 9-6-03
Wasting Hunter Revenue . . .
At this time I really don't see the DNR doing anything for the whitetail in WI.The DNR takes lots of our money, little of which goes towards managing whitetails. In turn the DNR gives us regulations which limit our ability to harvest deer and self-manage properly. Our money bought us deer overpopulation, disease, and increasing deer vehicle collisions.
Deer overabundance has led to regulations which undermine our deer hunting tradition and which have failed to curtail population growth. Current deer regulations, driven by the DNR with little public input, are unacceptable to myself and many hunters I've talked with.
--GP Mazomanie 9-11-03
"Where's
the Beef II?" The political management of Data and Statistics continues
Articles
and Papers on Wisconsin Chronic Wasting Disease and DNR proposals
Chronic
Wasting Disease - CWD Links and Other Resources
