Hunting News

CWD action plan presented to Commission

CWD action plan presented to Commission

By South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

A draft action plan to address Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer and elk herds across the state has been presented to the Game, Fish and Park Commission. The latest draft of the action plan was presented at the Commission’s June meeting.

The draft action plan includes best management practices and suggestions for modified or new regulations to help slow the spread of CWD. Public comment is being allowed again and can be sent by June 28 to CWDActionPlan@state.sd.us.

The Commission will adopt the action plan and propose applicable rule at their July meeting in Fort Pierre.
The first detection of CWD in wild deer in South Dakota occurred in Fall River County during the 2001 hunting season.

Since then, CWD has continued to be detected and is known to exist in free-ranging deer and elk in Custer, Fall River, Lawrence and Pennington counties, including Custer State Park (CSP) and Wind Cave National Park (WICA).

Surveillance efforts have not detected its presence in free-ranging cervids in other areas of South Dakota, although testing has not occurred or is limited in many areas. CWD has also been detected in neighboring states and across the nation. CWD poses serious problems for wildlife managers, and the implications of long-term sustainability and management for free-ranging deer and elk could be significant.

The objective of the recently developed a draft action plan is to inform, educate, and provide guidance and transparency regarding the management of CWD to wildlife managers and the public.

In the development of this action plan, GFP and members of the CWD stakeholder group were challenged to think long-term to reduce the spread of CWD and ensure that thriving deer and elk populations are here 50-100 years from now. It will take support and engagement of many stakeholders for this action plan to be successful.

When discussing and considering CWD management for both wild and captive cervids, numerous items come into consideration, and it becomes clear as to the complexity surrounding the management of this disease.

For many, changes to normal operating procedures will likely be needed to reduce the natural and anthropogenic spread of CWD prions; this will not come easy for some. As a result, communication and outreach to the public will serve as the foundation, and it will be critical to have an informed public who understands such management actions and their expected benefits.

Based on the current science, CWD cannot be eliminated from deer and elk or the environment. Wildlife managers can, however, be proactive through preventive measures to help reduce the spread of CWD.

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