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Post by flounder on Sept 21, 2017 14:00:17 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2017 14:53:38 GMT -5
Shouldn't this have been done long already?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2017 15:06:27 GMT -5
About 20 years ago, stroupy. banghead
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Post by davet on Sept 22, 2017 6:28:50 GMT -5
Well, better late than never.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2017 6:37:44 GMT -5
The tragedy of this is that back then, some effective measures could have been taken to slow the spread CWD. Now, there is nothing much they can do except to restrict hunting on public land, and that will have only a very limited effect. It is only a matter of time until the entire state is a disease management area. But then, politicians do not get elected by preventing a crisis.
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Post by dennyf on Sept 22, 2017 7:27:02 GMT -5
I'm convinced that the majority of hunters still have no clue that PGC lost control over the primary source of the spread of CWD - farmed cervids - many years ago. I still hear hunters blame anything to do with CWD coming to PA, on PGC. When the legislature took control of farmed cervids away from PGC and handed it off to AG, all hope was lost in my opinion, when CWD eventually showed up here. AG had neither the expertise nor the funding, to properly oversee farmed deer and elk. Many hunters at the initial public hearing on CWD, at Bermudian Spring HS, loudly condemned PGC for not getting a handle on the spread of the disease in PA. Obviously missed why AG was holding the meeting, with PGC assistance. Kathy and I were in the process of speaking with several deer farmers outside after that meeting, when their Vets interrupted and led them away, before they could say anything else. Having spoken with several other deer farmers since then, it became apparent to me early on, that their primary interest was in continuing to raise/sell/ship deer, with as little interference as possible. Not hard to understand, when you stand to lose large sums of money if your animals may be helping to spread CWD and the movement of farmed cervids have become a primary suspect in that spread? When CWD positive animals were found at York and Adams counties deer farms years ago, that should've been the time to shut down ALL such operations, but little was done to stem the tide. AG's current requirements for CWD testing in captive herds: www.agriculture.pa.gov/Protect/AHDServices/Chronic%20Wasting%20Disease%20Program/Pages/default.aspx |
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Post by ridgecommander on Sept 22, 2017 8:54:20 GMT -5
I wonder if the PGC will schedule some public meetings about EHD in southwest Pa since EHD is killing thousands of deer?
It would be nice to see some very detailed maps of the counties, broken down to the township level that show the severity of the impact to each area. That would help hunters focus pressure where it needs to be and not on areas that had great impact. Would also be nice to see a education piece done on the disease itself, how it affects deer, long term impacts, immunity potential, and if there is anything hunters can do to lessen impact in the areas that get hit over and over again.
I continue to be surprised there has been little resources devoted to this new EHD dilemma that we are facing these days. Detailed impact maps would be very nice to see.
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Post by westfieldjoe on Sept 22, 2017 9:04:57 GMT -5
I have never believed that the PGC should be the authority governing farming operations. I still believe that. Had this been "mad cow" how would the Dept of Ag have handled it? I think we all know the answer to that. That is the issue. Why no consistency?
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Post by fleroo on Sept 22, 2017 9:26:44 GMT -5
I wonder if the PGC will schedule some public meetings about EHD in southwest Pa since EHD is killing thousands of deer? It would be nice to see some very detailed maps of the counties, broken down to the township level that show the severity of the impact to each area. That would help hunters focus pressure where it needs to be and not on areas that had great impact. Would also be nice to see a education piece done on the disease itself, how it affects deer, long term impacts, immunity potential, and if there is anything hunters can do to lessen impact in the areas that get hit over and over again. I continue to be surprised there has been little resources devoted to this new EHD dilemma that we are facing these days. Detailed impact maps would be very nice to see. Agree. Was thinking the same. Most hunters across PA, more than likely don't know what we go through here in the SW when this rears it's damned head. Seems to have gotten some exposure, as it was on the local news last evening, but only because homeowners were witnessing "strange" deer behavior in their PGH suburban yards. I stated years ago, while knowing full well the hazards of CWD spreading, that it hasn't even come close to wiping out localized herds that EHD has. And it's becoming more consistent. They spry for Gypsy Moths.... can't they spray for these little midge bastards ? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2017 9:30:15 GMT -5
I have never believed that deer should be farmed like cows. I also believe the PGC should have control over wild pigs. I have no problem with captive chickens, cows, and pigs farming operations being under the control of the Dep't of Ag, but if it is desired to have deer farms regulated by Ag, then regulate them, dammit.
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Post by fleroo on Sept 22, 2017 9:40:16 GMT -5
Are "high fence" operations experiencing the detriments of CWD ? Don't these pay-to-shoot operations procure their "booner" class deer, from pen-raised deer farms ? These monsters with the 200" plus racks, go for thousands, 10's of thousands of dollars. You would think that these operations would be complaining that they are paying enormous amounts of money, and receiving infected deer in return, that die on them ? I haven't heard of a single shooting preserve, complaining that they are being provided with CWD infected deer. Has anybody ?
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Post by dougell on Sept 22, 2017 10:19:11 GMT -5
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Post by bawanajim on Sept 22, 2017 10:45:16 GMT -5
Any chance of hunters filing a class action law suit against these deer farmers who have profited from the selling and transportation of infected deer?
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Post by ridgecommander on Sept 22, 2017 12:54:11 GMT -5
They spry for Gypsy Moths.... can't they spray for these little midge bastards ? You know the PGC likes trees more than deer................. I am sure the PGC is quite elated, behind closed doors, that EHD makes it rounds every few years in this area of the state. If EHD only happened in the Northcentral part of the state, where hunters keep reporting low deer numbers, I am sure there would be a very different reaction. |
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Post by dennyf on Sept 22, 2017 16:34:15 GMT -5
State can't even maintain a useful spraying schedule around here to control black flies, along area rivers and streams. They're almost as bad right now, as they were back in the 80s before they began to spray for them.
We've hosted two PSAA archery shoots at our club each summer for over 25 years, July and August.
Gnats weren't too bad at the July one, back with a vengeance in August. Folks from other areas of the state say they have no such issues with gnats back home, can't figure out why they're such a pain sometimes, when they come in here?
When Rendell became Governor, he wanted to take that cost out of DCNR's budget, because coming from Philly, he thought it wasn't necessary. Local reps and Senators quickly advised him that it wasn't gonna happen.
Gnats don't present the problems for wildlife that midges do, but they had become a major problem for people trying to enjoy the outdoors. Outdoor sports, fishing, golf and anything else one wanted to do outside, meant soaking yourself with repellent spray, most of which did little good. If the state times the gnat spraying right, they're not as much of a problem. Big if, much of the time lately.
IF it's even possible to control midges via a spraying program, doubt the Game Commission can afford to foot the bill? Doubt DCNR is willing to tackle it?
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Post by davet on Sept 23, 2017 8:12:01 GMT -5
My guess......and it's just a guess as I know nothing about the DCNR budget, but the DCNR position is likely that the deer management is for the PGC. So....it's likely viewed as a game management issue. You know......one agency points at the other.....
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Post by dennyf on Sept 23, 2017 10:05:26 GMT -5
Biting midges seem to appear whenever late summer stream levels are low during dry weather, exposing mud along streams that favors midge hatches. Water levels are low here, but I've never heard of EHD issues in our area, as it seems to only occur in western PA and surrounding areas of other states?
No such "localized" impact from CWD, as it can and does pop up everywhere an infected animal winds up, is not "weather dependent" and will continue to spread.
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