DNR Busy tests deer for chronic debilitating disease



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In Minnesota, the sun has lain down on the deer hunting season with gun, but Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff remains busy and tests deer caught for chronic debilitating disease (chronic dieback).

"The problem we are having is that we are starting to see more positive animals expanding further into the landscape, so we see what we call a persistent infection that emanates from our epicenter," said the DNR. Wildlife Research. Director Lou Cornicelli.

MDC is a neurological disease that reduces the life expectancy of deer to about two years.

The problem is more prevalent in Wisconsin – but there is concern that the people of Minnesota are on the same path.

"Chronic debilitating disease is a serious threat to our economy and our way of life," said Senator Amy Klobuchar. "It's time for the federal government to respond in a more coordinated way to chronic wasting."

Standing alongside Cornicelli and Craig Engwall, executive director of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Senator Klobuchar has called for federal agencies such as the US Department of Agriculture and the Ministry of Agriculture. Interior of the United States to fight the disease.

She hopes that they will further develop monitoring and mapping of CWD and establish universal standards for the transportation of deer across state borders. As a result of the MDC, the DNR has banned hunters from introducing in the state deer harvested outside of Minnesota in 2016. Senator Klobuchar said that Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi was working with her about it.

From gun shops to meat processing plants, the sports industry is estimated at about $ 1.3 billion in Minnesota. A number that fears to decrease if hunters lay their weapons on CWD's concerns.

In Wisconsin, Cornicelli said the number of hunters had dropped by 7% since the discovery of the disease. In southeastern Minnesota, he said that the number of hunters had dropped by 6-8%, probably because of CWD.

"For the cities of northern Minnesota, I live near Big Fork, Minnesota, a town of about 500 people. It's orange in autumn. That makes or breaks some of these companies, "Engwall said.

Surveillance funding is also a DNR concern, Cornicelli said. He added that they had spent about $ 1 million in troubleshooting, which came from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. Federal funding would be helpful, allowing MNR to allocate its money to other projects, he said.

Taking the problem seriously is another aspect on which the group has focused, even though no case of human infection has been reported. Although the problem may be minor now, Cornicelli is worried about what he might become in several years.

"We would like people to see this as a persistent infection that will affect your grandchildren and their luck (to hunt)," said Cornicelli.

Since July 1st, the DNR reports that there have been eight positive tests for MDC.

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