Containing CWD poses unique challenges

Like too many states, Pennsylvania has seen chronic wasting disease (CWD) creeping into new corners of the state. This has caused increases in surveillance and action areas, as well as warnings to hunters about properly handling harvested deer. The disease, which is always fatal to deer, is cause for concern regardless of where it pops up. The question is, why is CWD spreading in the wild herd? Identification of infected wild deer is often located in areas close to captive deer herds being raised for breeding, game farms, butchering, hides and other resources. Some are very concerned about that link. In April, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) created a new CWD management area and expanded two existing ones. The new zone was crafted after the disease was diagnosed in captive deer facility in Lycoming County, the fifth such area required due to a captive facility. Under current laws, deer in Pennsylvania have two overlords: PGC for wild animals, and their Department of Agriculture (PDA) for captive herds. The National Deer Association (NDA) believes that the commission has the expertise, manpower and interest in maintaining a healthy herd and would do a better job of monitoring captive deer with the goal of protecting wild deer in the state. NDA is now pushing for legislation to take away the PDA's authority over captive deer and place the responsibilities on the PGC. Currently, captive deer facilities in Pennsylvania must be enrolled in the PDA's herd monitoring program, which requires surveillance and related actions designed to monitor farmed or captive deer and elk herds for the disease. There's also a voluntary herd certification program. Most of the state's 723 captive shooting facilities participate, but a total of 35 herds have been found CWD-positive, and the numbers are climbing. Eighteen of those areas still house live deer, which can prove problematic. These situations are what have caused NDA to take their stand for the health of the state's valuable wild deer resources by encouraging legislative action. "Each CWD-positive facility negatively impacts tens of thousands of hunters and Pennsylvania's wild deer," said Kip Adams, NDA's Chief Conservation Officer. "PGC has the biological and law enforcement staff necessary for captive deer shooting facility oversight, and full authority over these facilities would help protect the state's wild deer resource and the $1.6 billion that hunting contributes to Pennsylvania's economy annually." As in Pennsylvania, Ohio's oversight of captive cervid herds (deer, elk) is the responsibility of Ohio's Department of Agriculture, while the Ohio Department of Natural Resources watches over wild deer. This "removal" of authority from ODNR was accomplished under a prior administration. During the early legislative efforts to transfer ODNR's captive deer authority to ODA in 2010, neither agency wanted it to happen. At the time, the Columbus-based U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance posted a news release stating "Regulation, inspection, and enforcement over captive deer facilities should remain with the (Ohio) Division of Wildlife." In that document, Evan Heusinkveld, director of state services, warned "the Division of Wildlife is the only agency in Ohio with the tools, expertise and resources available to ensure we protect this great natural resource." Regardless of those discouraging the action, the change would soon be made. Today, CWD continues to inch around Ohio just like its eastern neighbor. How long before NDA notices that the issues are similarly playing out for both states? The NDA is a nonprofit conservation group whose primary focus is on whitetail deer — its habitat, hunting and conservation practices. The organization resulted from the merger of two other high-profile clubs: Quality Deer Management Association and the National Deer Alliance. With that joining, NDA boasts a combined 38 years of aggressively promoting deer management and hunting. Learn more about the National Deer Association by visiting deerassociation.com. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance can be found at sportsmensalliance.org "It is difficult to make our material condition better by the best law, but it is easy enough to ruin it by bad laws." — Theodore Roosevelt Along the way The Ohio Division of Wildlife has compiled the results of the sandhill crane survey conducted by division staff and volunteers. Observers found 371 sandhill cranes in Ohio as part of the one-day April 2022 Midwest Crane Count, which was coordinated by the division, International Crane Foundation and Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative. Volunteers searched crane habitat within a 10-square-mile survey block. Results were reported via eBird. The survey was conducted in 24 preselected counties during the crane's nesting season, selections based upon the availability of wetland habitat that cranes use for nesting. The top seven counties were Wayne (84), Lucas (60), Geauga (56), Trumbull (47), Holmes (18), Ottawa (17) and Wyandot (17). The count was the second in what will be an annual event to track the status of sandhill cranes in the Buckeye State. The count in 2021 found 160 sandhill cranes across five counties. Sandhills can be secretive during the breeding season, and the survey is an effort to better understand the state's breeding population. Once extirpated from Ohio, the sandhill crane is a tall wading bird characterized by a long neck and bill, gray plumage and a red patch on its forehead. It's often recognized by its distinctive, bugle-like call. A migratory bird, they breed in wetlands across the northern U.S. and Canada, wintering farther south in North America. They returned to Wayne County in 1987 to breed and have been slowly expanding since. They are still listed as a threatened species in Ohio. Step outside • In 2020, Ohio's Department of Natural Resources began improving and updating more than two dozen state park nature centers to provide visitors with the best nature-based educational experiences possible. Throughout the spring and summer, the agency will celebrate 12 nature center improvement projects with ribbon-cutting ceremonies. On May 13, one of those events celebrated the opening of the newly renovated nature center at East Harbor State Park. Additional openings will be occurring at Alum Creek, Hueston Woods, Burr Oak, Deer Creek, East Fork, Punderson, Shawnee, Wingfoot Lake, Mt. Gilead, Findley, Lake Hope and Tar Hollow state parks. • Sunday: Nostalgia 50-bird trap shoot for vintage shotguns. Traps open at noon, program starts at 1 p.m. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Township Road 186, Forest. Shoot the way great-grandpa played the game. Eligible shotguns include: Winchester Models 12, 97, 101, Super X1; Remington Models 10, 11, 17, 31, 32, 3200, 870, 1100; Browning Superposed, A-5, Double Automatic, B-2000; Ithaca single barrel trap, 37 and any manufacture side-by-side. • Sunday: 3D archery match, Field and Stream Bowhunters, 11400 Township Road 109. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Contact Harold Spence by calling 419-423-9861. • Thursday and Friday: Trap and skeet, open to the public. 5 p.m., UCOA, 6943 Township 243 Road • June 20: Ladies Day, noon to 4 p.m., Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Township Road 186, Forest. Pistol, rifle and shotgun shooting for novice or the experienced. Contact Jackie Schnapp at 419-957-0459. • June 20: Applications Due for the Conservation Teen Advisory Council (ConTAC). The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for a new class of 30 teens that will be selected to serve on ConTAC for the 2022-23 academic year. Those chosen will join several current members who will continue to serve as the group moves into its third year. Membership will reflect the diverse interests of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the state of Ohio. Students enrolled in high school for the 2022-23 school year are eligible to apply. For information and to apply, visit https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/education-training/contac • June 26: Ash Cave will provide the perfect acoustic setting for this performance by the Columbus Symphony at Hocking Hills State Park. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will host as a fundraiser for the Ohio State Parks Foundation. Ash Cave, Ohio 56, Logan. 3-4:30 p.m. Tickets are limited and are expected to sell out quickly. General admission for the event is $10 per ticket. General admission attendees should bring their own chairs and blankets. For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-columbus-symphony-at-ash-cave-tickets-313847605637. Rain date will be July 10. • July 18-22: The North American Gamebird Association (NAGA) has scheduled the first conference specifically for hunting preserves at Deer Creek State Park in Mt. Sterling, Ohio on July 18-21, 2022. This event is specifically designed for folks who provide recreational hunting opportunities. Visit www.northamericangamebird.com for complete details. 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