Deer hunters in Decatur County have just been handed an extra task on top of bagging bucks this season. Confirmation of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a neurological disorder deadly to cervids like deer, has been announced by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). The first known positive case of CWD in the county came from a deer felled by a local hunter, pushing TWRA to remind the hunting community of the importance of following existing restrictions and taking advantage of their surveillance efforts, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Despite the unsettling discovery, TWRA has not altered the hunting season's timeframe or its regulations. Hunters have the opportunity to earn more bucks through the Earn-a-Buck Program, incentivizing the harvesting and testing of antlerless deer in Decatur County. Any hunter who has already submitted antlerless deer this fall is eligible for an earned buck, a slight silver lining in the rising concern over CWD in the area.
Moving forward, adhering to the stipulations of the CWD Management Zone is key. Deer carcasses can only be carted within and between zones, but must not be moved outside of them. If a carcass somehow ends up in the zone, that's where it stays – no exceptions. The only deer parts allowed to leave the confines of the zone are thoroughly cleaned skulls, hides, deboned meat, and a few other specific items, ensuring that potential disease carriers are kept under close check. Hunters and processors are well-advised to stick to the approved list when transporting any deer-related products.
Preventive measures don't stop there, with feeding restrictions firmly in place for the CWD Management Zone. Baiting these animals with grain, salt, and other lickable goodies is a big no-no unless you're feeding your pigs as part of an agency-approved hog management effort, or it falls under the umbrella of normal agricultural or wildlife food practices. First Farmers Co-Op in Decaturville is the go-to location for dropping off deer samples, facilitating easier participation in the fight against CWD for local hunters. With roughly 4,400 samples already tested this season, TWRA is intent on containing this disease, as detailed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
