EAGLE RIVER, WI (WSAU-WXPR) – The Wisconsin DNR says it will need the public’s help to control chronic wasting disease.
A wild deer in Vilas County tested positive for CWD last fall, a first for the county.
In response, the DNR will be increasing sampling efforts in a ten-mile radius around where the deer was found in Eagle River.
DNR Wildlife Area Supervisor Michele Woodford says the DNR will be counting on hunters and landowners to get deer tested. “CWD is a serious disease that can impact our populations. Nobody wants to worry about what they’re eating. Really that participation is important. We’re going to have the opportunity for hunters to get their deer tested.”
The deer that tested positive was harvested during Eagle River’s city-wide archery hunt. The deer was a three-year-old doe that appeared healthy. “A lot of the deer do appear to look healthy but are still testing positive and potentially are contagious at that time.”
The DNR wants to collect 150 to 200 samples each year for the next three years to see how prevalent the disease is in the area.
