Wyoming Elk Found With CWD

Source: BigGameHunt.Net
Source: Wyoming Game and Fish

The Wyoming department of Game and fish announced a confirmed case of CWD in an Elk

A cow elk displaying symptoms of chronic wasting disease south of Encampment was confirmed to have been infected with the disease Feb. 28, according to tests conducted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Laboratory.

It was the first elk to test positive for CWD in hunt area 14, although several deer have tested positive in the area in past years.

The elk had been reported to the Game and Fish by concerned public with the classic CWD symptoms of being emaciated, profuse salivation and disorientation. The animal was collected and taken to the laboratory by Game Warden Matt Withroder Feb. 17.

"We're not surprised at the discovery because the disease had been detected in deer in the area and it is also found in Colorado hunt areas to the south," said Jeff Smith, wildlife supervisor for the Game and Fish's Laramie Region.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that has been diagnosed in deer, elk and moose in 10 states and two Canadian provinces. Animals show no apparent signs of illness throughout much of the disease's course. In terminal stages of CWD, animals typically are emaciated and display abnormal behavior.

There is no confirmed link between CWD and any human illness.

For more information on CWD visit the Game and Fish Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us.

Methamphetamine and Meth Labs how outdoor enthusiast can Help

Hunters, Hikers and Nature Lovers are helping local officials in the battle against Meth.

In the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the abuse of the drug methamphetamine (meth) in Minnesota. The production of meth in illegal “meth labs” has also been a serious problem for agencies and communities throughout the state.

Minnesota observed its highest numbers of (reported) meth labs and other meth-related events (meth chemical dumps, anhydrous ammonia thefts) in 2003 with more than 500 events reported. That number decreased to 320 events in 2004.

How can you Help?

While out hunting, hiking, nature viewing or doing other outdoor activities, if you see what appears to be a methamphetamine lab, contact your local law enforcement agency or conservation officer immediately.

Items to watch for

Signs of a methamphetamine lab include large quantities of common household products. Used as designed, these household products are generally safe. Mixed together, they can become explosive and/or give off toxic fumes.

• Chemicals
• Acetone
• Cold pill packets containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine
• Drain cleaner
• Engine starter
• Iodine Heet
• Lithium batteries
• Matches (red phosphorous)
• Muriatic acid
• Anhydrous ammonia
• Red Devil lye
• Salt (table or rock)
• Sodium metal
• Trichloroethane (gun cleaning solvent)
• Toluene

Meth Lab Equipment

• Aluminum foil
• Blender Bottles
• Cheesecloth
• Coffee filters
• Funnels
• Gas can
• Hot plate
• Jugs
• Paper towels
• Propane tank/thermos
• Pyrex dishes
• Rubber gloves/tubing
• Strainer
• Tape/clamps
• Thermometer

Meth can be easily be made from these common household chemicals and products. These ingredients are mixed and "cooked" to make this dangerous drug. The cooking process can also create potentially harmful chemical residues that can remain on household surfaces for months or years after "cooking" is over. There may be adverse health effects in people exposed to lab chemicals before, during and after the production process.

Each meth lab, spill or dump is a potential hazardous waste site, requiring assessment and remediation by experienced and qualified personnel.

The Methamphetamine Program at the Minnesota Department of Health, in conjunction with many public and private organizations, has been working to share resources, raise awareness, protect endangered children, provide technical advice for the remediation (cleaning) of meth labs, and to help Minnesota communities work together to create a strong, local response to this problem through education, training, and civil action

CLICK HERE for more information

Deer Population surge results in City organized Hunts

City across the midwest are starting to allow the hunting of white-tailed deer on city-owned property. The towns are even going so far as to ask large property owners who might consider opening their backyards to hunters to register with police.

The Pound Ridge Town Board voted Oct. 5 to allow bow-hunters with valid state licenses to hunt on three pieces of town land - 63 acres off Winterbottom Lane, 19 acres of Sachs Park and 17 acres off Horseshoe Hill Road.

Why? Pound Ridge, like much of the Lower Hudson Valley, is overrun with deer - five times as many as the environment can sustain, town officials say. Suburban development has reduced the habitat for the natural predators of deer, including hunters, and left the deer free to eat everything in sight. There are whole tracks of woodlands and forests where few branches are left within a deer's reach. Few shoots grow from the forest floor, few spring wildflowers live long enough to bloom. While the deer are having a feast, the birds and other beasts that call the forest understory home, are left without.

Pound Ridge isn't alone in taking action.

A couple of years ago, New York City's Department of Environmental Protection opened 330 acres of land in surrounding the Kensico Reservoir in North Castle - called the Big Peninsula - to deer hunting for the first time. They even gave out prizes like venison cookbooks and headlamps, and reduced the hunting age to 14 (with a parent) as an incentive to draw more hunters to its property. Next year, the DEP plans to open even more land, nearly 36,000 acres to deer hunting.

Why, you might ask, is New York City so desperately seeking hunters? It turns out that the saplings and ground cover that the deer eat help filter the water that flows through watershed properties and ultimately comes out of the tap.

Even organizations that are notoriously animal-friendly have called for increased deer hunting, for example the New Jersey Audubon Society, which opposed the state's bear hunt, began advocating for deer hunting last year and is considering allowing hunters onto some of its own property.

The Audubon folks were reluctant to endorse deer hunting, and so are we. But song birds, trees, wildflowers and water quality need protection, too.

Hunting News Update Oct 17th

Utah's Online Source for Local News & Information Site Archive
Today, October 17, 2006, 21 minutes ago
... an analysis of commuting trends reported Monday. Link to Story 10/16/2006 7:12am State officials will allow bear hunting in one of 10 mountain sanctuaries for the first time since the areas were established in 1970. Link to Story 10/16/2006 12:08pm ...
Washington Report: Hunting Season Is A Time For Balance
Today, October 17, 2006, 22 minutes ago
Like most South Dakotans, fall is my favorite time of year for one reason and one reason alone: pheasant hunting.EThere are few things that bring more enjoyment to so many across our state.
Man killed in deer hunting accident near Monroe
Yesterday, October 16, 2006, 5:39:41 PM
A 19-year-old man was fatally shot while hunting deer near Monroe, the Snohomish County Sheriff's office said.
Officials trace drop in hunting to several factors
Yesterday, October 16, 2006, 10:04:25 AM
The state is continuing to see a decline in the number of people applying for hunting tags.
Outdoors with Luke Clayton...making the most of your hunt
Yesterday, October 16, 2006, 2:34:33 AM
After more than forty seasons spent in pursuit of the majestic whitetail deer, I can truly say that I enjoy the hunt now every bit as much as I did as a kid, maybe more.
Many times the prey gets away
Sunday, October 15, 2006, 3:06:35 AM
CHRISTMAS, Fla. - If you are a frequent viewer of the cable TV hunting shows, you might come away with the impression that most hunts are successful, and that large numbers of super-sized ...
Father, daughter savor opening-day thrill
Sunday, October 15, 2006, 2:00:00 AM
Ricky Reed says that the day he stops getting an extreme adrenalin rush when he's got a deer in his sights is the day he'll stop hunting.
Cute but hungry Overpopulation of deer leaves little left for other species
Friday Oct 13 The Journal News
Pity poor Bambi, everyone now wants a shot at her. This month, Pound Ridge became one of the first towns in Westchester county to allow the hunting of white-tailed deer on town-owned property.
Society Hill mayor under fire for deer hunting stand
Monday Oct 9 Florence Morning News
A complaint over hunting made its way to the floor of the Society Hill Town Council meeting Monday.
Pronghorns, Mules and Malarkey
Saturday The Herald
By Jim Casada The Herald - Updated 10/15/06 - 12:25 AM While it has been my great good fortune to experience much of what North America has to offer in the way of hunting, until recently I had never hunted ...
Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine
A Change Of Luck
Wednesday Oct 11 Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine
I was excited about the 2005 deer hunting season. I live in Virginia, and the past few seasons I have harvested some nice deer.
Lambertville Man Hunts Dream
Friday Oct 13 Courier News
Last fall, avid deer hunter Karl Zainitzer walked away from the $5 million landscaping business he founded, waved goodbye to its 132 employees and began full-time his pursuit of the ultimate deer.