Date: 9/30/10
Contact: Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3500

NDOW TO COLLECT SAMPLES FOR CWD TESTING

In the years that have followed the initial discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in free-ranging deer and elk in the mid-1980s, the disease has been found in many of the lower 48 states and in two Canadian Provinces. Luckily, Nevada has remained CWD free even though Utah, the Silver State's closest neighbor, has found 48 mule deer and one elk that have tested positive for the disease.

Despite this run of luck, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is committed to monitoring the state's elk and deer herds for CWD. To that end the department is seeking help from hunters who have big game tags in specific hunt areas that have been targeted for surveillance. Those hunt areas are 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24 and 27. These areas have been selected for surveillance because they are on the eastern side of Nevada where migrating animals from Utah may enter the state.

Hunters who are successful in their hunting endeavors can help with the CWD surveillance project by submitting their harvested deer or elk for sample collection. This process involves the removal of specific lymph nodes and the brain stem so the head is needed. Animals bound for the taxidermist can be sampled after the cape has been removed. There is no charge for testing and hunters will be notified of if their sample tests positive for CWD.

Those hunters who wish to participate in the CWD project can bring their harvested animals to one of nine sampling locations statewide. Those locations include the NDOW offices in Elko, Ely, Winnemucca, Panaca, Fallon and Reno. Other locations include the Nevada Department of Agriculture offices in Elko and Reno along with John Mull's Meats in Las Vegas.

CWD is characterized by spongy deterioration of the brains in infected animals. It is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. Common symptoms of CWD include emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and eventually death. Currently, "there is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans. But as a precaution we advise hunters to wear latex or rubber gloves while field dressing their animals," said Peregrine Wolff, NDOW veterinarian.

It is also recommended that hunters bone out the meat and avoid sawing through bone or cutting through the brain or spinal cord. Thoroughly washing hands and knives after field dressing is complete is highly recommended. Hunters are urged to not shoot, handle or consume any animal that is acting abnormally or appears to be sick. Anyone who does harvest or see an animal that appears sick is urged to call NDOW.

Hunters who choose to have their game processed at a commercial facility are encouraged to ask that their meat be processed individually and not with meat from someone else's animal. There is no telling how well it was taken care of in the field or what its condition was beforehand.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and
conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.