CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE AND TESTING
By Mashkodebizkikigahbaw, Benji Sam
Cool mornings, delayed sunrises, yellowing tamaracks, the southern migration of waterfowl, falling of the leaves, and the last of the wild rice crop now past maturity all point toward the eventual onset of fall. With it, another tribal harvesting season begins in the chasing of white-tailed deer: A favorite season of many who call this place home. Not unlike the last four years our world has faced an illness that has affected our way of life, the deer we chase also face a life-threatening condition that is expanding across many states and hunting zones – including zones just north of Mille Lacs.
With each successful harvest made this fall there is a chance to edge closer to understanding and preventing the spread of the disease known as chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD has been found to be a fatal disease for Minnesota’s cervid species, including deer, moose, and elk that attacks the animal’s neurological system and takes years to become fatal. According to the National Deer Association, since its discovery in 1967, CWD has been found in at least 35 states across the United States and has also shown signs in other countries around the world and has been found to be highly contagious among all deer species through physical contact.
Hunters across Minnesota, and the rest of the states in the Union, stand as one of the most effective forms of both population control and testing for prevalence. Since CWD lives in the brain, spinal tissue, and can be tested via the lymph nodes, there is currently no way of testing live animals. But to improve scientific understanding and population health and how to combat this disease, more testing must be completed each year to monitor the progression and prevalence of CWD throughout all hunting zones in Minnesota.
Jordan Williams, wildlife biologist for the Mille Lacs Band, has been undergoing CWD testing the last five hunting seasons for tribal harvests to monitor herd health and prevalence among tribal harvests across all 1837 Minnesota territories. “Over the last five years we have averaged about 50 tests per year sent off to the University of Minnesota lab for CWD testing,” said Williams. “So far, we have not had any positive findings, which is ultimately good for the health of the herd in this region.” Positive tests would most likely result in a zone wide response that could be detrimental to the deer population by both increased risk of fatal disease and by significantly expanded over-harvesting to reduce local populations to stop the spread of CWD.
“Ultimately, our goal is to be able to test as many deer harvests across tribal members as we can in order to continue understanding the impact and prevalence of CWD in our zones,” said Williams. Harvests can be tested by bringing the whole deer or a deer head with at least four inches of muscle tissue intact below the base of the skull to preserve tissue that may contain CWD for testing. As compensation for turning in deer heads with intact lymph nodes for CWD testing, the Tribal DNR office is offering a gift card reward program for harvesters hunting in Minnesota hunting zones within the 1837 Treaty Boundary.
Hunters are also required to register harvests online at the GLIFWC NAGFA site and would be expected to share hunting zone locations with DNR staff in the event of a positive test result. Location information will remain private unless a positive test is found, and hunters can be sure their participation will go to the greater good of the deer herd health. “If we can test at least 50 percent of tribal harvests each year, we could significantly improve tribal contribution to CWD research and better protect the herd health within tribal boundary across central Minnesota,” said Williams.
Like CWD practices within the tribal boundary in this state, our relatives to the east also participate in testing of cervid species across central and northern Wisconsin. Through whitetailed deer testing and tribal elk harvests, tests are also being sent from within the eastern border of the 1837 boundary. However, harvesters who practice their hunting rights across state lines are reminded that it is illegal to travel across borders with the brain and spinal cord intact and with meat following a successful harvest. Tribal and state hunters are required by law to remove all meat from the head, neck, and spine of the animal and may not transport carcasses across state lines. Viable options for testing sites in Wisconsin for Mille Lacs Band harvesters are still being assessed.
Upon participating in CWD testing, it is recommended to refrain from eating any meals from that animal until negative results are given. Testing wait times may vary between two weeks and well over a month depending on harvest testing samples being taken prior to or during state rifle season. Hunters are reminded that if positive results are found, it is advised to dispose of all CWD positive meat and if hunting off-reservation land with state tags, the state will issue replacement tags to any hunter who finds a positive animal.
There are currently no known positive cases of transmission of CWD from animal to human through contact or consumption, but it is widely accepted from scientists to hunters alike that this is the best practice to maintain both herd and human health. Good luck, participate in safe shooting and hunting practices, and don’t forget to have your harvest sampled at the Mille Lacs DNR offices to contribute to the health of our herds. For questions on where to bring your harvest for testing or any questions related to practicing your treaty rights under the Treaty of 1837, please call the Mille Lacs Band DNR office at 320-532-7439.
