CWD Detected in 35 Captive Shooting Facilities in PA, But Over Half Still Have Deer. What’s the Solution?
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has announced the establishment of a new chronic wasting disease (CWD) management area and the expansion of two existing areas. Consequently, the National Deer Association (NDA) has called for the transfer of full authority over Pennsylvania’s captive deer shooting facilities to the PGC.
“Five of our seven disease management areas exist due to CWD being discovered in a captive facility,” says Kip Adams, NDA’s chief conservation officer. “This negatively impacts tens of thousands of hunters and wild deer.”
Currently, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture oversees these facilities and includes them in their herd monitoring program, which focuses on detecting CWD. In addition, there is a voluntary and more thorough herd certification program.
Pennsylvania has a total of 723 captive shooting facilities, with 35 of them testing positive for CWD—18 of which still house deer. The NDA considers this “completely unacceptable from a disease management standpoint” and warns that mismanagement of these herds threatens the state’s wild deer population.
The NDA believes the PGC is best suited for managing the situation due to their resources, staff, and expertise. Adams emphasizes the $1.6 billion generated by hunting each year, demonstrating the significance of addressing this issue for both hunters and Pennsylvania residents at large.
However, Adams clarifies that when it comes to breeding facilities, the Department of Agriculture should maintain oversight, while the Game Commission should handle the shooting side, thanks to their biologist and law enforcement staff.
Adams considers this a legislative matter. In the past, the Pennsylvania Game Commission supervised captive deer shooting facilities until the legislature transferred the authority to the Department of Agriculture. Adams asserts that lawmakers are capable of rectifying this situation, as the Department of Agriculture lacked the necessary enforcement ability and biological staff.
Effective management of these facilities is crucial in combating the spread of CWD, which often originates from captive deer shooting facilities. Although the NDA opposes such facilities, Adams states that they have a clear position on the matter and have publicly expressed their resistance.
The NDA’s position statement advocates for classifying deer as wildlife and managing them through state and provincial wildlife agencies. The organization is also against deer farming, captive propagation, and canned hunting practices. However, it allows for high fence operations as long as they do not give hunters an unfair advantage and allow animals a reasonable chance to evade them.
Adams emphasizes the need to limit the spread of CWD, suggesting that if the Pennsylvania Game Commission oversaw the shooting facilities, they could more effectively curb its transmission.
A skilled hunter, dedicated conservationist, and advocate for ethical practices. Respected in the hunting community, he balances human activity with environmental preservation.