State to Continue CWD Efforts in 2016

The state plans to continue its efforts this year to manage a problem that sprung up in Michigan’s deer herd in 2015–chronic wasting disease (CWD).

The first case of CWD was found in mid-spring near Lansing and three others have since been confirmed in Michigan and one case is suspected.

As part of the effort to combat the spread of the fatal neurological disease, the Department of Natural Resources designated a core CWD testing area consisting of nine townships in Ingham, Clinton and Shiawassee counties, where hunters are mandated to have deer tested.

DNR spokesman Chad Stewart says thanks to the cooperation of Michigan hunters more than 4,000 deer have been tested for CWD.

Stewart says in addition to the core testing area, the DNR plans to continue aggressive measures to control the disease in 2016 by using sharpshooters to go after deer in areas CWD is found and issuing disease control permits to people who want to help, but don’t want others coming on their land to shoot deer.