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ODNR Monitors Chronic
Wasting Disease in Ohio's Deer Herd
COLUMBUS, OH – As of Aug. 1, portions of Holmes and Tuscarawas counties
have been declared a Disease Surveillance Area (DSA) as part of the
state’s ongoing efforts to monitor Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD),
according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). This
designation was made after a deer at a captive white-tailed deer
facility in Holmes County tested positive for CWD. In addition, the
state has established new carcass rules for hunters who hunt wild deer,
elk, caribou and moose in other states.
The new carcass rules will apply to Ohio hunters who plan to travel out
of state to hunt any CWD-susceptible species (white-tailed deer, mule
deer, elk, caribou or moose). No person is permitted to bring or
transport high-risk carcass parts of CWD-susceptible species into Ohio
from any state or Canadian province, regardless of the CWD status of
the exporting jurisdiction. Additional information on carcass
regulations can be found at wildohio.gov.
The newly-established DSA includes the areas within a 6-mile radius
from the CWD positive samples in Holmes County and includes: Wayne and
Sugar Creek townships in Tuscarawas County, and Salt Creek, Paint,
Berlin, Walnut Creek and Clark townships in Holmes County. This DSA
designation will remain in effect for a minimum of three years. The
area will be mapped and posted on the division’s website at
wildohio.gov.
The following regulations will apply within the DSA:
…Requires hunters to bring deer carcasses harvested within the DSA
boundaries to an ODNR Division of Wildlife inspection station for
sampling during the deer-gun and deer muzzleloader seasons;
…Prohibits the placement of or use of salt, mineral supplement, grain,
fruit, vegetables or other feed to attract or feed deer within the DSA
boundaries. Prohibits hunting of deer by the aid of salt, mineral
supplement, grain, fruit, vegetables or other feed within the DSA
boundaries; and
…Prohibits the removal of a deer carcass killed by a motor vehicle
within the DSA boundaries unless the carcass complies with deer carcass
regulations.
Normal agricultural activities including feeding of domestic animals as
well as hunting deer over food plots, naturally occurring or cultivated
plants and agriculture crops are not prohibited.
Hunters harvesting deer within the DSA are required to deliver their
deer to a carcass inspection station. Two locations have been
designated as Carcass Inspection Stations for the deer-gun seasons and
the deer muzzleloader season. Both locations will be open and staffed
from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the deer-gun and deer muzzleloader
seasons. The dates for these seasons are: Nov. 26-Dec. 2, Dec. 15-16
and Jan. 5-8, 2019.
…Sugarcreek Village Hall, 410 S Broadway St., Sugarcreek 44681.
…Walnut Creek Township Garage, 2490 Township Road 414, Dundee 44624.
Hunters will be asked to provide their confirmation number from the
game check process as well as the location where the deer was killed
(the address of the farm or nearest road intersection are acceptable).
Tissue samples will be taken and tested for CWD. The process should
take no more than 10 minutes; however, delays are likely at peak times
of the day. Hunters are strongly encouraged to complete the game check
process before proceeding to the inspection. Hunters that harvest a
deer and wish to have it mounted will still need to bring their deer to
a carcass inspection station. Samples will not be taken at the time,
but staff will collect additional information so that samples can be
collected later.
If hunters have questions about the carcass inspection stations or need
directions to the locations, they may call 800-WILDLIFE or the Wildlife
District Three office at 330-644-2293. The ODNR Division of Wildlife is
responsible for protecting and managing Ohio’s fish and wildlife
resources for the benefit of all Ohioans. We greatly appreciate the
cooperation of hunters in helping us monitor Ohio’s deer herd. For more
information about CWD, visit wildohio.gov.
The state’s first DSA, DSA 2015-01, which was established in 2015, has
expired after being in place for three years with no evidence of CWD
found in wild deer. The original DSA was established after CWD was
first detected at a shooting preserve and breeding facility in Holmes
County, and included portions of Holmes and Wayne counties.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural
resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
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