DEC unveils CWD risk minimization plan

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the release of a draft New York State CWD Risk Minimization Plan for public comment. The plan describes proposed regulatory changes and actions that DEC will take to minimize the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) entering or spreading in New York. It was designed to protect both wild white-tailed deer and moose, as well as captive deer and elk held at enclosed facilities. DEC biologists worked with New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets veterinarians and wildlife health experts at Cornell University to craft a com- prehensive set of steps that are the most advanced CWD prevention strategies in the nation.

“New York is leading the way in protecting our valuable deer and moose herds,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Not only does this horrible disease kill animals slowly, but wild white-tailed deer hunting represents a $1.5 billion industry in the state. Our CWD Risk Minimization Plan is in the best interest of all of us who care about wildlife and especially about the health of our wild white-tail deer herd.

CWD, an always fatal brain disease found in species of the deer family, was discovered in Oneida County wild and captive white-tailed deer in 2005. More than 47,000 deer have been tested state- wide since 2002, and there has been no reoccurrence of the disease since 2005. New York is the only state to have eliminated CWD once it was found in wild populations. In North America, CWD has been found in 24 states and two Canadian provinces including neighboring Pennsylvania and Ohio.

CWD is caused by infectious prions, which are misfolded proteins that cannot be broken down by the body’s normal processes. They cause holes to form in the brain. Prions are found in deer parts and products including urine and feces and can remain infectious in soil for years and even be taken up into plant tissues. CWD is in the same family of diseases, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies,

as “mad cow” disease in cattle. The disease also caused a fatal brain condition in some humans that ate contaminated beef products. Although there have been no known cases of CWD in humans, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that no one knowingly eat CWDpositive venison.

Some of the proposed changes include:

• Prohibit the importation of certain parts from any CWD-susceptible cervid taken outside of New York. Require that these animals be deboned or quartered and only the meat, raw hide or cape, and cleaned body parts, such as skull cap, antlers, jaws and teeth, or finished taxidermy mounts be allowed for import into the state.

• Prohibit the retail sale, possession, use and distribution of deer or elk urine from CWD-susceptible animals that may contain prions, while allowing New York captive cervid (deer and elk) facilities to continue to export deer urine outside of New York State.

• Maintain and reinforce the prohibition on the feeding of wild deer and moose in New York State.

• Require all taxidermists and deer processors (people who butcher deer for hire) to dispose of cervid waste and waste byproducts in compliance with 6 NYCRR Part 360, such as in a municipal landfill.

• Improved fencing methods for captive cervids to further prevent contact with wild deer or moose.

• Enhance captive cervid testing while continuing DEC’s rigorous surveillance testing in hunterharvested deer.

• Improve handling requirements, record keeping and disease testing of wild white-tailed deer temporarily held in captivity for wildlife rehabilitation.

The plan updates reporting requirements, improves communication to stakeholders and simplifies regulations to reduce confusion while protecting our natural resources.

The draft plan is available for public review on the DEC website (www. dec.ny.gov/animals/7191. html). Written comments on the draft plan will be accepted through Sept. 1, 2017. Comments can be submitted by email (wildlife@dec.ny.gov, subject: “CWD Plan”) or by writing to NYSDEC, Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

SHORT CASTS

Oneida County Sportsmen’s Annual Youth Goose Hunt: The Oneida County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Madison County NWTF are teaming up to offer a special youth goose hunt again this year. This will be the seventh annual hunt under the guidance of their mentoring program. This year they have opened it up to women that may be interested in hunting geese as well. Following the successful youth and women turkey hunt in April 2017, the Federation and NWTF are following a similar plan to introduce youngsters and women who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn goose hunting with a skilled mentor.

The dates are Sept. 23 and 24, 2017. Saturday, Sept. 23 will be the meeting with parents, ECOs and hunter mentors, target practice and other preparation for the next day’s hunt. This Safety Day starts at 9 a.m. and lasts until all activities are done. The actual hunt will take place on Sunday, Sept. 24. Youngsters and women will have the opportunity to learn the skills necessary for goose hunting and then actually experience it with the guidance of an ECO or hunter mentor in the field.

The program is open to youths ages 12-17. A small game license and a HIP number is necessary for all youngsters. Youths ages 12-15 do not need to purchase a federal migratory bird hunting stamp for this hunt but youths and women ages 16 and up will need a federal migratory bird hunting stamp along with license and HIP number. The HIP number will be verified or obtained for all youth and women on Safety Day.

Check out their web site www.cnymyhunts.org to see pictures of past hunts. You can also use the website to sign up for the goose hunt as well.

Interested participants should contact Scott Faulkner 315-225-0192, or sfcf@tds.net, ECO Steve Lakeman 315-734-0648 or ECO Ric Grisolini 315-2406966 for an application for this program. Also contact the above individuals if you have any questions on the program. Space in the program is limited so register early.

Fall LOC Derby: The 2017 Fall Lake Ontario Counties Derby is underway and already some impressive fish have been taken. The Derby runs from Aug. 18 until Sept. 4 with weigh-in closing at 1 p.m. on September. 4. This year the awards ceremony will be held at Sodus Point. The Derby offers $68,900 in cash prizes for fish in three divisions: salmon, rainbow/steelhead trout and brown trout.

See the website www. loc.org for complete rules and regulations and the many registration sites and weigh-in stations. You can also register online at the site. If you have any questions call 315-3335213. Each day there will be cash prizes for the largest fish in each division.

At end of the lake the following locations are both registration sites and weigh-in stations: All Seasons Sports, Route 13 Pulaski, 315-298-6433; Woodys Tackle, Route 3, Pulaski, 315-298-2378; Henchen Marina, Henderson Harbor, 315-938-5313.

Venison Donation and Habitat Stamp: The new hunting and trapping licenses are now on sale at local licensing agents. DMU Permits which allow holders to take an additional antlerless deer in specific Wildlife Management Units are also available now. Permits are drawn by lottery and the odds of being chosen depend on the WMU.

While you are purchasing your license and choosing your DMU, don’t forget to make a donation to the Venison Donation Coalition and purchase a Habitat Stamp. Your donation of even $1 to the Venison Donation program pays for processing of any deer you donate to help feed the hungry.