The feared chronic debilitating disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer is getting closer and closer to Alabama, although it has never been detected within the state’s borders so far.
Wildlife managers, hunters and those who like to see wildlife are concerned that the deadly disease could wipe out the deer herd here, as has happened in some other states where the outbreaks have become intense.
According to Alabama’s DCNR, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) recently received “positive suspect” CWD test results for two bucks collected by hunters in Tippah and Alcorn counties in northeastern Mississippi. These are the first CWD-positive detections for those counties. According to an MDWFP press release, the samples will be sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for final confirmation.
These are the first suspected cases of positive CWD in white-tailed deer within a 40-kilometer radius of the Alabama state border. The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) has tested more than 11,000 deer since 2002.
As part of the WFF Strategic Surveillance and Response Plan, CWD surveillance efforts were stepped up in Alabama after deer in Mississippi and Tennessee tested positive for the disease in 2018. This surveillance effort continues, including collecting deer samples harvested by hunters, road kill deer and sick deer reported to the WFF by the public.
Hunters are encouraged to use CWD self-service sampling stations located across the state as part of the WFF’s CWD surveillance effort. For an updated map with instructions for CWD sampling stations and instructions on how to send a sample, visit www.outdooralabama.com/cwd-sampling.
CWD is a neurodegenerative disease found in most deer species, including elk, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. It is infectious and always fatal. It is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and is similar to mad cow disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep. These diseases cause irreversible damage to brain tissue that lead to salivation, neurological symptoms, weight loss and death of the animal.
Deer infected with CWD can spread the disease to other deer even before symptoms develop. It may take one to two years for infected animals to become symptomatic. When symptoms appear, they can include weight loss, lethargy and abnormal behavior. Other signs include excessive salivation, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, excessive thirst and urination and drooping head / ears.
Hunters and the general public are encouraged to look for deer that appear sick, lethargic or exceptionally thin and to report their location to the ADCNR.
The state has also made it illegal to import entire carcasses or bone structures of any species of deer, although boneless meat is permitted. There have been several quotes this year from hunters who broke that rule after hunting in other states.
Alabama’s deer season continues through February 10 in much of the state. The end of the season is considered the prime time to pack a dollar by many seasoned hunters due to the late rutting season and the often cold weather, which encourages animals to move during the day.
More information about the CWD can be found at www.outdooralabama.com/CWD-Info.
BASS Names Lay Lake Part of the 2021 High School Fishing Tour
BASS officials have revealed the schedule for the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series 2021, which will give young fishermen the opportunity to compete in the same waters that hosted the main sport fishing tournaments.
The Bassmaster High School Series will include four regular season events. The one-day tournaments will be February 27 at Harris Chain of Lakes, May 2 at Lake Cumberland and June 26 at Lay Lake, home to four Bassmaster Classics. A June 12 event will also be held at a northern fishery, to be announced shortly.
Due to the increasing popularity of the trails, the field size will again be limited to 250 boats for high school. Each high school event will also include a field of up to 50 boats for second to eighth grade competitors as part of the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series.
Online registration for the High School and Junior series will open on January 12. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.