DNR Says CWD On The Rise In Michigan’s Deer Herd
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been collecting data on chronic wasting disease in the deer herd and CWD is on the rise again.
What is Chronic Wasting Disease?
How Long Has DNR Been Testing Michigan Deer for CDW?
Cases in 2018 and 2019 were at the highest levels but also more deer were tested during those years. Out of 50,000 deer tested in the two years, only 127 came back positive.
CWD Test Results for 2021
According to WOOD, 7,200 deer were tested in 2021 with 25 deer coming back positive. DNR Deer, Elk, and Mosse Management specialist Chad Stewart said, "Some years we've intensified surveillance in known hot spots, and other years we have looked elsewhere trying to find the disease, specifically avoiding those hot spots."
What is unfortunate about CWD is you cannot eradicate it completely from the herd. This means baiting for deer in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan will likely never come back.
What Counties in Michigan Have Had CWD in Deer?
WOOD reported the following counties have had deer test positive for CWD: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, and Montcalm. So far Jackson, Kent, and Montcalm counties have the highest concentration of positive cases.
Hopefully, the DNR can learn more by testing and comparing data. You can help by notifying the DNR if you find random dead deer that have not been shot by a hunter or while hunting you see sick deer in your area.
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