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Help Support TNDeer:
CWD progression
- Thread starter Antler Daddy
- Start date
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
I haven't heard of any plans regarding LBL or Ft. Campbell (yet).
My hope is some of the CWD fear-mongering will die down before it happens.
Let me say I know less about this than many others, but I tend to agree with you, that the carcass transport rule probably is doing more harm than good, overall.
Omega
Well-Known Member
That is the least of my worries, deboning is actually not that bad. But I do know it will lead to more wanton waste by those too lazy to take their time deboning. If it went that far that fast, it will be no time before the entire state is covered and these restrictions will be a moot point.
Since I am already in CWD Territory, I would be fine. You can transport CWD to CWD.
ROB
Well-Known Member
Transport rules are no doubt a little inconvenient for some. However, I can assure everyone that the Commission has way bigger fish to fry right now so I wouldn't look for a change to this rule any time soon.
TNCharlie
Well-Known Member
I agree. Maybe it has happened but I've not heard of any case where the occurrence of CWD has been tied to the transportation of dead deer. I'm not sure it has even been tied to the transportation of live deer; it just seems to pop up. Live in a CWD free county within a hundred yards of a CWD county, hunt a hundred yards into the CWD county, and you can't bring your kill home without deboning. Yes, that's an extreme example but it illustrates the absurdity of the rule.
I guess that it's helpful that CWD deer know not to wander into a CWD free county. Government reasoning at its best.
A lot of folks aren't as hindered as you or I are on that. I live literally on the state line. I see deer cross from TN to KY and vice versa daily. Luckily I live on the KY side and my hunting is in KY so doesn't affect me with the state line law that's in place. My dad lives 1/8 mile up from me on the TN side. If he kills one in KY he can't even take it to his house. It's a hindrance but I fully understand they can't make exceptions to the ones that live on state lines and county lines.
What about the folks who live way over on the east side, reckon some don't care if it spreads as they have it why shouldn't everybody? while there is no cure they are trying to slow down the spread, not sure there are any natural barriers that will help much but to do nothing seems wrong. When it is state wide deboning wont be a thing any longer but that might take many years. time will tell.
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
History shows how quickly CWD spreads out once it reaches critical mass. It's only been 5-6 years since it was discovered in West TN. We know it was there for many years before it reached critical mass. Now that it has, it will spread quickly across the state. Slowing the spread is a common practice but hard to prove or disprove its effectiveness.
Biologists still don't understand all the ways it spreads. That's one of the things Ames is studying right now. Whether or not the state tries to inhibit the spread, it will happen sooner or later. I'm guessing sooner. I think this transport rule is just one of a multi pronged approach they have adopted and continues whether it works or not.
In my opinion, a few years from now CWD will be found in virtually every county in TN. Since most of the TN whitetail herd (I believe) is west of the TN river, the majority of the herd has already been exposed.
Biologists still don't understand all the ways it spreads. That's one of the things Ames is studying right now. Whether or not the state tries to inhibit the spread, it will happen sooner or later. I'm guessing sooner. I think this transport rule is just one of a multi pronged approach they have adopted and continues whether it works or not.
In my opinion, a few years from now CWD will be found in virtually every county in TN. Since most of the TN whitetail herd (I believe) is west of the TN river, the majority of the herd has already been exposed.
Without any evidence of how long its been in WTn it's a crap shoot as to how fast it progresses, It may have been there since the first Deer Farm went in. it may spread faster than some folks think or could imagine. Regardless it will change deer hunting as we know it for a long time, every year something will change 1 way or the other,
BSK
Well-Known Member
The evidence CWD was spread around the country by the transportation of live deer - often illegally - is VERY strong.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
I don't believe dead deer carcasses had much to to with the spread.
The spread was more about the transport of infected live deer (initially).
Then, dispersing & rutting bucks spreading it further, and further.
One thing that may spread it more than hunters' transporting their carcasses is the spread of prions by vultures that consume the deer killed by CWD. Vultures are migratory and "hunt" both sides of major rivers.
Are most deer that die by CWD (year round) just consumed by vultures & coyotes, then the prions are spread far & wide by, vultures & coyotes?
Biggun4214
Well-Known Member
Then again the digestive juices in the guts of scavengers may destroy the prions.
When it first was discovered I had a long discussion with our local commissioner. We discussed the problem with prions could potentially be spread through blood on boots, and truck beds. We also talked about transfer through mud and dirt carried east on atv's, trucks, etc. There's hundreds of ways of possible transfer. I don't think anyone knows for sure.
