November 10, 2021 at 9:38 a.m.
DNR social media post causes confusion
Feeding and baiting ban information was from 2017
DNR social media post causes confusion
According to the most recent information from the DNR website, the only counties still listed as not having a feeding and baiting ban are Clark, Jackson and Manitowoc. By state statute, when a deer is harvested, either from a captive farm or from the wild herd, and subsequently tests positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), the county in which the deer tested positive will be under a three-year feeding and baiting ban. Any county within 10 miles of that positive finding will also be under a feeding and baiting ban, but for a duration of two years. The ban's "clock" effectively resets with each new finding.
There are no feeding and baiting bans set to expire in the Northwoods for this year. According to the DNR, the feeding and baiting ban is put in place in an attempt to limit unnatural concentrations of deer to help limit the spread of CWD. CWD is an always-fatal brain disease in cervids such as white-tailed deer and elk. It can be passed from animal to animal but can also be picked up by an animal from the surrounding environment. It is passed through urine, saliva and feces, and has also been known to be taken up by plants on the landscape, where it could potentially spread to more cervids.
The state is currently finishing up revisions to its 15-year CWD response plan. This will be the second of the five-year revisions to the plan. The committee working on the plan is comprised of a variety of stakeholders from across the state.
"During this second review, any committee recommendations to the plan's goal statement, objectives and actions will be taken under consideration in the department's decision making process," the DNR website states. The committee's full review results are expected in early 2022, accompanied by a public comment period. The department will take all of this information under consideration and bring the results to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) in late spring of 2022.
For more information about CWD in the state, the response plan review or feeding and baiting bans that are in place, go to the DNR website dnr.wi.gov and search "CWD."
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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