‘Zombie deer’ disease prompts mandatory meat testing for Colorado hunters
SWKrullImaging
As part of the Colorado Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) will be conducting mandatory chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing during the 2019 hunting season.
In late September, CPW sent out letters to Colorado rifle season buck and doe hunters who have been selected for mandatory chronic wasting disease testing. 78 Game Management Units (GMU) were included in the letter. For a complete list of CWD testing submission sites along with hours and locations, visit cpw.state.co.us/CWD.
Hunters, #DYK: We’ll have temporary chronic wasting disease submission sites (in mandatory testing units) this year to help out folks hunting in hard-to-reach places⛰️🦌 Take a look at our list of CWD testing submission sites📍 + hours and locations🗺️ : https://t.co/403jqsSn63 pic.twitter.com/DNpa1v7K5g — CO Parks & Wildlife (@COParksWildlife) October 14, 2019
Chronic Wasting Disease in deer is a growing problem in Colorado. This year CPW needs the cooperation of hunters in 78 management areas with testing. Please, help with this important research. Details: https://t.co/tejBBIAwuL @COParksWildlife pic.twitter.com/0zwVGeEtgO — CPW SW Region (@CPW_SW) September 25, 2019
CWD is a fatal neurological disease found in deer, elk, and moose, lasting anywhere from 2 to 3 years. Symptoms of infected animals include emaciation, excessive salivation, lack of muscle coordination, loss of bodily functions, and abnormal behavior, including lack of fear of humans. There is no known cure and the disease is always fatal. While CWD is not known to infect humans, it is strongly recommended that hunters do not eat meat from infected animals.
Chronic wasting disease was first identified in Colorado in the 1960s, and has now crawled its way across the country, infecting deer, elk and moose in at least 26 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces. https://t.co/xy9HZVLLnG @Longreads — High Country News (@highcountrynews) April 10, 2019
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer and elk herds is an area of increasing concern, both in Colorado and across the nation. We are working on adaptive management tactics to prevent the further spread of CWD and controlling it in herds that are already infected. pic.twitter.com/FRuRcunMOh — CO Parks & Wildlife (@COParksWildlife) October 4, 2018
CPW will reimburse costs incurred from processing CWD-positive animals. The standard rate will be up to $100 for animals non-commercially processed and up to $200 for deer and elk that are commercially processed. The maximum reimbursement for commercially processed moose is $250.
Hunters whose deer tested positive for CWD will receive a letter from Colorado Parks and Wildlife explaining what they currently know about the disease, disposal recommendations, and public health information.
For reimbursement, the following items will be required: a hunting license showing CID number, CWD head tag, proof of payment, credit card slip, copy of both the front and back of the canceled check, a receipt showing cash payment, and an itemized invoice.
2019 combined rifle seasons for deer and elk are scheduled as followed: October, 19-27, November, 2-10, and November, 13-17. For big game season dates and fees, click here.