HUNTERS NEEDED FOR CWD TESTING

Virginia Hunters Needed for Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance and Management


RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) would like to ask for hunters continued support in its surveillance and management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Chronic wasting disease was detected in Virginia for the first time in a deer killed November 2009 in Frederick County less than one mile from the West Virginia state line. A second CWD-positive deer was also harvested in 2010 approximately 1.5 miles from the first. In addition to the two positive cases thus far diagnosed in Virginia, the continued existence of the disease nearby in Hampshire and Hardy Counties, West Virginia, remains a concern.

Similar to last year, the entire CWD Containment Area is a mandatory sampling area for any deer killed on November 19, November 26, and December 3, 2011. Any deer, or at least the head and neck of any deer, killed in the Containment Area on these three days must be brought to a designated sampling station (listed below). The CWD Containment Area has the same boundaries as the last year - west of I-81 in Frederick County and the City of Winchester, and west of I-81 and north of Rt. 675 in Shenandoah County.

* Cather's Market, 2765 Northwestern Pike, Winchester
* Cline's Store, 19004 Senedo Road, Edinburg
* Crossroads Grocery, 119 Cedar Grove Road, Winchester
* Gore Grocery, 305 Gore Road, Gore
* Graden's Supermarket, 6836 John Marshall Highway, Lebanon Church
* State Line Store, 1778 Bloomery Pike, Whitacre
* T & R Processing, 691 Carpers Valley Road, Winchester

VDGIF strongly encourages hunters who are successful on days other than those listed above to volunteer the head and neck from their deer for sampling by bringing it to one of our self-service refrigerated drop stations:

* Frederick-Winchester Conservation Club, 527 Siler Road, Winchester (north of Gainesboro)
* Walker's Cash Store, 3321 Back Road, Woodstock (intersection with St. Luke Road)
* North Mountain Fire and Rescue, 186 Rosenberger Lane, Winchester (off Rt. 600, behind Tom's Market).
* New Star Market, 2936 John Marshall Hwy, Strasburg (one mile west of I-81).

In addition to mandatory checking VDGIF is continuing several other management actions in the northern Shenandoah Valley in response to the detection of CWD, including: prohibiting the feeding of deer year-round, prohibiting the movement of deer carcasses and parts out of the Containment Area (with exceptions), restricting the disposal of deer wastes from the Containment Area, prohibiting the rehabilitation of deer in the Containment Area, and changing seasons and bag limits on private lands in an attempt to reduce the deer population. More information about these management actions and CWD can be found on the VDGIF website at www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd/.

CWD has been detected in 19 states and two Canadian provinces. The disease is a slow, progressive neurological (brain and nervous system) disease found in deer, elk, and moose in North America. The disease ultimately results in death of the animal. Symptoms exhibited by CWD-infected deer include, staggering, abnormal posture, lowered head, drooling, confusion, and marked weight loss. There is no evidence that CWD can be naturally transmitted to humans, livestock, or pets. Anyone who sees a sick deer that displays any of the signs described above should contact the nearest VDGIF office immediately with accurate location information. Please do not attempt to disturb or kill the deer before contacting VDGIF.

It is the mission of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities. For more information on Virginia's wildlife management areas, wildlife watching, hunting, fishing and boating, visit the agency's website at www.dgif.virginia.gov.