The dreaded chronic wasting disease (CWD) in whitetail deer is creeping ever closer to Alabama, though thus far it has never been detected inside the state borders.
Wildlife managers, hunters and those who enjoy seeing wildlife are concerned that the deadly disease could decimate the deer herd here as it has in some other states where outbreaks have become intense.
According to Alabama’s DCNR, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) recently received “suspect positive” CWD test results for two hunter-harvested bucks from Tippah and Alcorn counties in northeast Mississippi. These are the first CWD-positive detections for those counties. According to a press release from MDWFP, the samples will be sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for final confirmation.
These are the first suspected CWD-positive cases in white-tailed deer within 25 miles of the Alabama state line. The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has tested more than 11,000 deer since 2002.
As part of WFF’s CWD Strategic Surveillance and Response Plan, CWD surveillance efforts were increased in Alabama after deer in Mississippi and Tennessee tested positive for the disease in 2018. That increased surveillance effort continues, including the collection of samples from hunter-harvested deer, road kill deer, and sick deer reported to WFF by the public.
Hunters are encouraged to utilize the self-service CWD sampling stations located throughout the state as part of WFF’s CWD surveillance effort. For an up-to-date map with directions to the CWD sampling stations and instructions on how to submit a sample, visit www.outdooralabama.com/cwd-sampling.
CWD is a neurodegenerative disease found in most deer species, including moose, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. It is infectious and always fatal. It is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and is similar to mad cow disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep. These diseases cause irreversible damage to brain tissue that leads to salivation, neurological symptoms, emaciation and death of the animal.
Deer infected with CWD can spread the disease to other deer even before symptoms develop. It can take one to two years for infected animals to become symptomatic. When symptoms appear, they can include emaciation, lethargy and abnormal behavior. Other signs include excessive salivation, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, excessive thirst and urination, and drooping head/ears.
Hunters and the general public are encouraged to be on the lookout for deer that appear sick, lethargic or unusually thin and to report their location to ADCNR.
The state has also made it illegal to import any of the cervid species whole carcasses or bony structures into the state, though deboned meat is permitted. There have been several citations this year for hunters breaking this rule after hunts in other states.
The Alabama deer season continues until Feb. 10 in much of the state. The late season is considered prime time to bag a buck by many expert hunters due to the final rutting period and the frequently cold weather, both of which encourage bucks to move in daylight hours.
More information on CWD can be found at www.outdooralabama.com/CWD-Info.
B.A.S.S. Names Lay Lake Part of 2021 High School Fishing Tour
B.A.S.S. officials unveiled the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series 2021 schedule, which will give young anglers an opportunity to compete on the same waters that have hosted sportfishing’s premier tournaments.
The Bassmaster High School Series will include four regular-season events. The one-day tournaments will be Feb. 27 on Harris Chain of Lakes, May 2 on Lake Cumberland and June 26 on Lay Lake, site of four Bassmaster Classics. A June 12th event will also be held on a northern fishery to be announced soon.
Due to the soaring popularity of the trails, the field size will again be capped at 250 boats for high school. Each high school event will also include a field of up to 50 boats for competitors ranging from second to eighth grade as part of the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series.
Online registration for the High School and Junior Series will open Jan. 12. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.