NEWS RELEASE- DNR asks bow hunters to help track CWD
December 19, 2012
CONTACTS: Kris Johansen, DNR area wildlife supervisor, 715-421-7818
Ed Culhane,DNR communications,Eau Claire, 715-781-1683
EAU CLAIRE – The state Department of Natural Resources is enlisting the help of bow hunters and taxidermists in Adams and Juneau counties as wildlife biologists continue to track the presence of chronic wasting disease in the deer herd.
“We’d like to take advantage of the late archery season in these counties and the fact that we have taxidermists in both counties who have volunteered to help,” said DNR area wildlife supervisor Kris Johansen.
Wildlife biologists are responding to the detection of CWD in a wild deer harvested during the early archery season in northern Adams County. This was the first finding of CWD in Adams County.
Biologists have already collected more than 70 samples in Adams and Juneau counties this year as part of targeted surveillance outside the CWD zone. Obtaining additional samples will provide DNR with a better picture of the geographic extent and prevalence of the disease.
The DNR is asking hunters to work with cooperating taxidermists to have lymph node samples removed for testing from adult deer harvested in Adams or Juneau counties. To have the sample removed, the hunter can bring the whole deer to one of the listed taxidermists or just remove the head with at least three inches of neck attached and bring that in for sampling. Please call ahead to set up an appointment.
Cooperating taxidermists in Adams County:
- Trevor Athens Taxidermy, 982 15th Ave, Arkdale, 608-547-6117
- B&L Taxidermy, 1088 13th Ave, Arkdale, 608-564-2314
- Sand County Taxidermy, 1430 Cty Rd F, Friendship, 608-547-9136
Cooperating taxidermists in Juneau County:
- Mike's Taxidermy, N7348 6th Ave, New Lisbon, 608-427-6700
- Dempsey's Taxidermy, 449 Washington St, Wonewoc, 608-464-7453
- Todd's Wildlife Taxidermy, N2148 State Hwy 58, Mauston, 608-847-7693
The late archery season in Wisconsin continues through Jan. 6, which means hunters have 18 days, starting Thursday, to harvest deer and assist in the scientific survey.
CWD has been present in south central Wisconsin for a decade. The CWD management zone is contiguous with the southern border of Adams County.
“We want to thank all those hunters who have submitted samples and acknowledge our debt to the cooperating taxidermists,” Johansen said. “After the archery season, we will analyze all the data to determine what actions to take.”
Johansen said the DNR will hold a public meeting in the area in early February to share information and gather public input.
Anyone interested in learning more about the disease can visit the DNR web page at dnr.wi.gov and type “CWD” into the search box.