More bad news for bees and deer

Neonicotinoids are a type of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine, which are utilized in gardening and agriculture. They're an inexpensive means of dealing with difficult soil pests and continue to be widely used in the U.S., especially in a preventative role. The insecticide is typically used to treat seed, giving it a pink coating. It disperses throughout the plant and into pollen and flowers. Since it is water soluble, it's sometimes sprayed onto foliage, including some residential applications. It's very effective against sucking pests such as aphids and chewing insects. In 2011, over 30% of soybeans and over 79% of corn in the United States were neonicotinoid-treated seed, and they continue to be the most commonly used pesticide in the Midwest. Why? When neonicotinoids were introduced, carbamates, organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds dominated the market. These were not very selective and were toxic to mammals. The new offering was viewed as safer and more efficient. Neonicotinoid displayed low toxicity for mammals and could be combined with fungicides at little extra cost. While this may all sound great, neonicotinoids are currently suspected in the widespread damage to pollinator populations — especially honeybees. Concerns continue to rise concerning its use. This is how this insecticide works: at high levels, it over-excites neurons, which can lead to epileptic-like effects, cell death or nerve cell inactivation. At lower levels, normal neuronal function is impaired, and this is what is suspected to harm bees. After repeated exposure, target nerve cells become more vulnerable and toxicity to the bees increases. As if all this wasn't enough, now the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has found evidence of neonicotinoids inside deer in the state's deepest and most remote forests. MDNR tested 800 deer spleens sent in from hunters over the past two years and found buildup of the chemical in 61% of them. Dave Olfelt, director of the Fish and Wildlife Division, said the extent and wide range of the impact "was a surprise to us." Tests to determine the exact levels should be completed soon. With these findings, there are now concerns that the chemical buildup could be keeping fawns from surviving to maturity and/or harming deer reproduction. Michelle Carstensen, MDNR's wildlife health program supervisor, explains that more research is necessary to determine if the insecticide's levels are high enough to threaten individual deer. She does add that the levels are indeed at or above thresholds that could impact fawn survival. Is this something new? Unfortunately, not. In 2019, South Dakota found that neonicotinoids were harming the development of reproductive organs in captive whitetail deer herds and that fawns with high concentrations had lower survival rates. Those that did live were stunted, and had shorter jaw bones and lower weights. Affected deer were also less active. While the levels of neonicotinoids in deer is concerning for the deer population, it offers no threat to those hunting deer or consuming beef or venison from these areas. Jim Kelly, manager of environmental surveillance and assessment at the Minnesota Department of Health, tells us that safe thresholds in crops and beef are between 300 and 500 parts per billion. Minnesota's deer testing indicates 10 parts per billion. Kelly says, "I don't have any concerns at all about hunters being exposed to these low levels." With the ongoing concern and research of neonicotinoids and their impact on the invaluable pollinating insects which are the key healthy plant life, this possible effect on deer is not good news. The European Union has banned or tightly controlled most of their use, but U.S. agriculture continues to use it widely. This newly discovered information partnered with pollinator concerns may well drive the EPA to reconsider regulations governing neonicotinoid use and the exploration of alternatives. "The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others." — Saint John Chrysostom "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." — Aldo Leopold Along the Way Teddy Roosevelt Jr. was a conservationist, naturalist, historian and author who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909. In 1912, Roosevelt said, "There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country." Today, his namesake, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), uses its partnerships to advance his legacy of conservation, habitat and access. The partnership helps to educate the nation in the critical issues facing our wildlife resources around the country, while encouraging federal and state legislatures to act on conservation's behalf. It follows Roosevelt's philosophy: "It is not what we have that will make us a great nation, it is the way in which we use it." Is it just another conservation program? Is it pro-hunting and fishing? Does it support birdwatching and other nonconsumptive pastimes? Does it help preserve fragile habitat and wildlife populations? Is it worth your time? Sometimes, a lot about an organization is revealed by its partners who value its work. Here's the list: AFL-CIO, American Fisheries Society, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Boone and Crocket Club, Coastal Conservation Association, Ducks Unlimited, Hispanic Access Foundation, Everglades Foundation, Izaak Walton League, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Pheasants and Quail Forever, Property and Environment Resource Center, Pope and Young Club, Public Lands Foundation, Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Society, Trout Unlimited and the Wildlife Management Institute. This seemingly long list includes just 20 of the agency's 60 partners. In a recent statement, the partnership states, "As our nation rebounds from the COVID pandemic, policymakers are considering significant investments in infrastructure. Hunters and anglers see this as an opportunity to create jobs, restore habitat, and preserve fish and wildlife." Isn't it time to consider getting involved? Visit the Theodor Roosevelt Conservation Partnership at www.trcp.org/ to learn more about the current conservation concerns and what you can do to be heard. Step Outside • Thursday and Friday: Trap and skeet, open to the public, 5 p.m., UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243. • June 5: Youth Day, noon to 3 p.m., Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186, free and open to those 18 and younger. The event includes firearms safety, shotgun and rifle shooting. Lunch and ammunition provided. Contact Bob Yoder at 419-273-5057 for details. • June 5: Gun Show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ghost Town, 10630 County 40. The event is sponsored by Black Swamp Bucks Unlimited and Buffalo Trading Co. • June 5: Pheasants Forever Sporting Clays event, registration at 8 a.m., event 9 a.m., Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club, 4146 Klopfenstein Road, Bucyrus. Call in your registration at 567-278-1551. • June 6: Trap Shoot, 1 p.m., Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. • June 19: Ladies Day, noon to 4 p.m. Mount Blanchard Gun Club. The day includes rifle, pistol and shotgun safety and shooting. Contact Jackie Schnapp at 419-957-0459. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com