LIVINGSTON COUNTY, N.Y. — The Department of Environmental Conservation is increasing its testing of deer after a deer in Livingston County tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
This is the first positive test in the state in 21 years for the disease, which is highly contagious and deadly among the deer, elk and moose family. There has never been a confirmed case in humans, but the DEC says the disease poses a serious threat to deer populations and hunters should always avoid eating sick animals. The disease is caused by misfolded proteins that destroy the deer’s brain and nervous system.
What should hunters know?
The DEC is asking hunters in the towns of Conesus, Groveland, North Dansville, Sparta, Springwater and West Sparta to test their deer samples. You can submit samples to a DEC inspection station, a cooperating meat processor or taxidermist, or by placing the head in a head collection bin. News10NBC is working to obtain a list of trash bin locations in the Finger Lakes region.
The goal is to understand the extent of the disease so wildlife managers can work to mitigate it, says Brendan Quirion, head of the DEC’s Big Game unit.
“We also prohibit the movement of any deer from captive facilities in this area, prohibit the rehabilitation of deer from this area, and restrict the use of deer products such as urine and other deer products transported out of this containment zone,” Quirion said.
The containment zone will remain in place for five years. The DEC states that hunters should not eat the game they collect until they get the test results. A virtual webinar on chronic wasting disease is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17 at 7 p.m. You can register and learn more here.
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