Deer kill exceeds 22,000

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST, Ca. - Wildlife officials estimate that over 22,000 mule deer have been shot in an effort stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. The disease has ravaged the local livestock industry. The shooting began when the disease was discovered a few months ago in livestock and mule deer were implicated as the vector. Managers now believe the entire deer herd in the area has been decimated. Lab results indicate that less than 10 percent of the animals killed showed lesions associated with the disease.

This happened in 1925.

Shooters collect 539 deer in final CWD shooting period

DODGEVILLE, Wis. Landowners and the Department of Natural Resources shooters killed 539 deer within the 389 square mile chronic wasting disease (CWD) Eradication Zone last week during the fourth and final week-long shooting period this summer. Government shooters and landowners kill over 1,500 animals during the four shooting periods. To date, only 13 of the animals killed have tested positive for CWD.

This happened September 17, 2002

  These news releases highlight why wildlife managers and hunters should be interested in learning more about diseases. Mule deer may serve as a reservoir or a vector for diseases that not only affect other wildlife but domestic livestock. A second reason for concern is that as our habitat base shrinks we ultimately end up concentrating more wildlife on smaller areas. As this happens disease-related mortality can increase. Lastly, diseases are a major part of the increasingly complex business of wildlife management. They can, as the news stories suggest, be just as important as food habitats, biology, and habitat requirements in managing populations. Incidences of diseases in mule deer and other wildlife can provide managers with "early warning signals" about the health of a population and the condition of their habitat.

Can mule deer get colds?
   Disease and mule deer are not strangers. In addition to the new kid on the block, chronic wasting disease (CWD), mule deer can contact literally dozens of viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases. CWD is the disease of moment because it arguably could take the greatest toll on mule deer, mule deer hunters, and western wildlife management. One of the questions still yet to be answered about CWD is if it can be transferred to domestic livestock and ultimately humans.

The viruses
   The more notable of these diseases go by the names bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease or EHD, foot-and-mouth disease, malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), and Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). Of these, only EHD has not been documented in domestic livestock. EHD principally occurs in white-tailed deer, however several cases have been documented in mule deer and pronghorn.  All of these diseases can be fatal.

  Bluetongue and EHD are transmitted by biting arthropods. Foot-and mouth disease, MCF, and BVD are spread by contact. A recently completed study by Utah State University of the Paunsaugunt and Kaibab mule deer herds on their shared winter range indicated that 94, 44, and 25 percent of the animals tested positive for exposure to BVD, blue tongue, and EHD, respectively. However, none of the affected animals died during the course of the study. It also was interesting to note that the white blood cell count of all the test animals exceed published parameters. These results suggested to the managers that the mule deer populations were under stress and therefore increased efforts were needed to improve the condition of the winter range.

The bacteria's
   Probably the best known bacterial disease of mule deer is brucellosis. This is a highly contagious infection in many animals. It is at the very heart of the controversy involving Yellowstone National Park, the bison that live there, and Montana agriculture. In mule deer and other ruminants, brucellosis results in abortions. It is transferred by physical contact with infected animals or their body fluids. Infected animals survive to transmit the disease.

  Other bacterial diseases that are fatal in mule deer include pasteurellosis and one recently in the news - anthrax. Most animals, including man are susceptible to anthrax. Hunters can acquire the disease by skinning, butchering, and just by examining infected carcasses. The only way to control anthrax is the rapid and effective disposal of the carcasses.

The parasites
   Abdominal, round, eye, foot, leg, tape, flat, and lungworms in addition to several arthropods from midges, mosquitoes, black flies, lice, mites, ticks, fleas to botflies can affect mule deer. The degree an individual animal is affected depends on the health and age of the animal. In most cases, for parasites to survive and spread, they must occupy a living organism. In many cases, the animal that hosts the parasite will not be affected by it. For this reason, hunters who harvest parasite infected deer may never even know it.

  Some parasites found in mule and white-tailed deer are host-specific. The host can survive the parasite, but if it is contracted by other ruminants, it is almost always fatal.
For example, the arterial nematode, Elaeophora schneideri, normally a parasite of mule deer can severely limit elk populations. The meningeal worm of white-tailed deer, while harmless in its host, is quite capable of killing all other North American deer. Currently, the meningeal worm has not been reported on western mule deer ranges. However, as white-tailed deer populations move westward, this parasite could surface in mule deer.

Consequences for the hunter
   What are a wildlife manager and a hunter to do? Wildlife management in North America has been largely built with the dollars provided by hunting. Fewer animals coupled with increased human health concerns about consuming venison will translate into less money to support wildlife management --- if hunters abandon hunting.

   Hunting is and will remain an objective of wildlife management. It is a partnership that has been built on cooperation, communication, and trust. There is no doubt that the emergence of CWD will test the resolve of this partnership. There is a lot wildlife managers do not know about CWD and other diseases. They need the support provided by hunters to conduct this research. Hunters also have a responsibility to learn more about these diseases. There is no room for rumor, innuendo, and lies.

The risks and the cures - ………….
   We know that some diseases in mule deer such as anthrax can be transmitted to hunters. There is no evidence to indicate that CWD can. To minimize any potential health risks, hunters should take the necessary precautions when dressing game.

  Unfortunately, we have few cures available for the afflictions that affect mule deer. We do not have a magic bullet vaccine. Most diseases run their course: the animal either dies, is preyed upon, or recovers. For some, as in the case of foot-and-mouth, and CWD, the implemented solution - eradication and disposal of infected animals to prevent the spread - may be worse than the disease. Contact your state agency, for more information on any of these diseases and their impacts in your state.