Montrose Archery Association 2007 3D benefit for disabled hunters.
"If it's about Missouri deer you'll find it here"™
Featured photos from our forum members
Test
results show Missouri still CWD-free
The Conservation Department
continues to test deer for the disease.
JEFFERSON CITY-Renewed testing for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in
2007 turned up no evidence of the disease, but the Missouri Department
of Conservation says it will continue stepped-up monitoring for two more
years.
CWD is a degenerative neurological malady that affects the deer family
but has not been found to afflict any other animals. It was first
documented in Colorado in 1967. It has since spread to other states.
Missouri began testing for the disease in 2002, after an outbreak in
Wisconsin. CWD has never been documented in the Show-Me State.
Prior to the Wisconsin outbreak, Missouri had tested only sick deer for
CWD. In 2002, the Conservation Department continued this “targeted”
testing and added a comprehensive testing program. Between 2002 and 2004
the agency tested more than 20,000 deer, using a random sample of
hunter-killed deer from every county in the state. The tests showed no
cases of CWD.
“We were very reassured by those results,” said Resource Scientist
Lonnie Hansen, who handles the Conservation Department’s
deer-management program. “Following the intensive, three-year sampling
effort, we went back to targeted testing. We decided to conduct another
round of comprehensive monitoring as part of a prudent surveillance
program. We want to be certain that if CWD does reach Missouri we know
about it early enough to take the necessary control measures.”
For the current round of comprehensive CWD monitoring, the Conservation
Department divided the state into three zones - northern, central and
southern. It collected samples from hunter-killed deer in the northern
zone first, testing approximately 200 deer from each of several
five-county sampling areas within the zone. Again, results all came up
negative.
The Conservation Department will test deer from the central zone this
year and from the southern zone in 2009.
One difference from past testing is how the Conservation Department is
obtaining samples. In the first round of comprehensive testing, the
agency took tissue samples from deer brought to check stations. This
time it is working with taxidermists to obtain the necessary samples.
Twenty-one taxidermists participated in the first round of testing,
gathering 1,221 samples.
Targeted testing of sick deer continues.
“Last year’s testing does not guarantee that Missouri’s deer herd
is CWD-free,” said Hansen, “but statistically speaking it gives us a
high degree of confidence that the disease is not present in a
particular area.”
For more information about CWD, visit mdc.mo.gov/hunt/deer/cwd/.
-Jim Low-
BowTech Raffle Winner
Our congratulations go out to Bruce, aka MajorTom, of Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Be sure and visit our friends from Indiana. Steve and his crew provide hunts for "disabled young hunters". Good site for sure.
"African Shooting Sticks and other Safari inspired creations"
Get Involved with
Young Hunters 
Most of you know we are involved with providing support for Missouri
disabled hunters. What you might not know is that we also provide Missouri
young hunters assistance with hunting and shooting opportunities as well.
Be sure to check the site for upcoming events. If you would like to assist
us or just want more information please send me an email.
Exchange information and ideas. Meet new friends. Visit our "G" rated hunting and fishing forums.
We can also provide your food plot seeds.
