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The Michigan DNR has found a third free-ranging deer in Meridian Township (Ingham County) has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). The deer was a 5-year-old doe. All three CWD-positive deer detected thus far have been discovered within a mile of one another.
"As we stated with the second positive deer this news is not surprising," said Dr. Steve Schmitt, DNR wildlife veterinarian. "The good news is that all three deer came from the same small area.î Genetic analyses carried out by Michigan State University's Molecular Ecology Laboratory indicate that all three positive animals were related as part of an extended family. Previous research has shown that CWD often is transmitted within family groups because of their close contact.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan DNR has confirmed a second free-ranging deer in Meridian Township (Ingham County) has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose.
This second case is a 2-year-old male found less than a mile from the initial positive female deer, confirmed this past May. Genetic testing is being conducted to see if the two deer are related.
"Finding this second positive deer is disappointing, however, not unexpected," said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. "We will continue with our aggressive surveillance throughout the summer and fall. With the assistance of hunters, we hope to determine the distribution of this disease."
To date, 304 deer have been tested in the Core CWD Area. Only two have tested positive for CWD.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Michigan Fish Stocking
More than 20 million fish stocked this spring means lots of angler opportunities.
The Michigan DNR announced the final totals from its spring fish-stocking efforts. DNR fisheries staff stocked a total of 20,099,988 fish that weighed more than 325 tons and consisted of nine different species and one hybrid.
To complete this task, staff took more than 370 stocking trips to 732 stocking sites, traveling more than 100,000 miles over the course of 2,556 hours using 17 specialized stocking trucks.
"It was another outstanding spring stocking season that will bring significant benefits and fishing opportunities to Michigan," said Ed Eisch, DNR fish production manager. "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, fish were reared and delivered to stocking sites in excellent condition. The numbers produced and stocked were right on target for almost all areas."
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The Michigan DNR reminds hunters that the application period for antlerless deer licenses is now open and runs through Aug. 15.
Hunters may apply for one license in any open Deer Management Unit (DMU) statewide; a nonrefundable $5 fee is charged at the time of application. Hunters may choose to apply for either one private-land or one public-land license. Young hunters, ages 9-16, can purchase one junior antlerless deer license over the counter July 15-Aug. 15. No application is required. A 9-year-old must be 10 by Sept. 26 to purchase this license.
Any leftover antlerless deer licenses not issued in the drawing will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. EDT, until license quotas are met.
Antlerless deer license quotas can be found at www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/antlerless_deer_license_quotas_493177_7.pdf.
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(Provided by MUCC)
The Michigan Court of Claims today dismissed a lawsuit by anti-hunting groups challenging the constitutionality of the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
In a strongly-worded opinion by the Honorable Mark T. Boonstra, the Court ruled in favor of the State of Michigan, Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Commission and summarily dismissed the challenge to the law from Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, which was heavily financed and run by the Humane Society of the United States.
"The Attorney Generalís office did an excellent job of defending this law on its constitutional merits," said Drew YoungeDyke, public relations manager for Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC). "The Court recognized that the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act was about just what its title says, managing fish, wildlife and their habitats with sound science."