TO CLOSE

If you are worried about harvesting a deer with MDC, you can take some steps.
John Buffone, [email protected]

The chronic debilitating disease in Pennsylvania deer will not go away.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission released the 2019 disease management areas map, which shows an expansion of more than 2,000 square miles.

"We will never eliminate that, and we will never stop the spread," said Bryan Burhans, Executive Director of the Gaming Commission. "We can only hope to do it."

A heat map showing disease management areas from 2019 to Pa. For chronic debilitating disease. (Photo: Pa. Gaming Commission)

Chronic debilitating disease is a degenerative neurological disease in deer, elk and moose. It causes abnormal behavior, loss of basic bodily functions and general disorientation. Since MDC has a prolonged incubation period, a deer can be infected for up to two years before showing signs.

Some symptoms include:

  • head down
  • Ears falling
  • Excess saliva
  • Coordination issues
  • Taming behavior towards humans
  • Extremely thin

More: Can your deer be eaten safely? Here's a reminder about chronic debilitating disease

"Residents must understand that chronic debilitating disease is not just a Pennsylvania problem or gambling commission," said Courtney Colley, communications specialist for the CWD at the Game Commission. "It's a national and even international problem."

Areas of chronic debilitating disease management in Pennsylvania have grown considerably. In DMA 2, the area was extended to Cumberland, Juniata, Perry, Mifflin and Snyder Counties. (Photo: John Buffone / YDR)

Disease Management Zone 2, which includes MDC hot spots in Bedford, Blair and Fulton counties, has expanded by 2,000 square miles. New MDC cases in wild deer in Juniata and Perry County have contributed to the expansion.

Of a total of 250 positive MDC cases recorded in Pennsylvania over the years, most are of DMA origin 2.

In the northwestern part of the state, DMA 3 has spread deeper into Clearfield County after a captive deer has been found to have neurological disease. DMA has not been expanded in the range of elk.

Until now, no elk has been tested positive for MDC in Pennsylvania.

DMA 4, which covers parts of Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks counties, has not increased this year.

Global:

DMA 2 will be expanded to just over 6,715 square miles, an increase of approximately 2,100 square miles.

DMA 3 will be expanded to approximately 1119 square miles, an increase of approximately 200 square miles.

DMA 4 will remain the same, covering approximately 346 square miles.

More: Pa. Game Commission talks about how she spends money, does not provide for increased hunting expenses

9631 deer were tested in 2018 and 123 were positive.

There has been a positive test so far in 2019 on 7 tests.

The Gaming Commission will publish its intervention plan to fight the MDC over the next 12 to 14 months.

Possible elements that can be included in this plan are:

  • Removal of wood restrictions in disease management
  • Increased speed and efficiency of tests on deer
  • Increased harvest of hunters
  • Targeted deer removal

Before the plan is released, the Gaming Commission will be open to the public for feedback and will create more educational opportunities on the CWD.

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