Quote:
Originally Posted by flintknapper
CWD spreading could be dependent upon many things. Too, I don't know if this has occurred to you, but if CWD were present in a herd "under" high fence, the fencing would tend to keep it out of the unrestricted herd. In that case... it would be a benefit. Similarly, the reverse would be true.
If you mean that "concentrating" animals increases the risk of CWD being spread....then I would tend to agree. But, the concentration of animals does not happen soley because of fencing. There are many reasons herds of elk or deer will stay in one area, there doesn't need to be a fence. Winter range in some areas will concentrate the animals, as will "feeding" them.
The spread of CWD is not entirely understood since the minimum incubation time to clinical illness is about 16 months. Latest research suggests that it is spread laterally (from animal to animal) by contact with blood or saliva. So, an animal grazing in the same Alfalfa field as another could contract it. Of course we wouldn't know for 16 months ( thus making it hard to say how it is spread).
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Flint,
I have only one comment about your supposition that the high fences are a benefit when CWD is present. There have been documented cases of high fence elk that were carrying CWD being sold for wild release or escaping. Just this year an Idaho ranch had its herd escape. I have not heard of any CWD being found amongst them but they did escape and mix with the wild population. If I remember correctly the governor declared open season on the escaped elk. I have also watched motivated elk make big holes in "elk proof" fences in our orchards.
My position against high fence elk is based on the risk of spread of CWD to the wild population. Bow hunting for elk is more than just a passion for me; it is a part of living. I am not willing to support an activity that can potentially propagate CWD.
I also see the effects of concentrating animals in an area daily and not behind high fences. What I see, and it pisses me off, is local people feeding the blacktails. There is a very noticeable spread of chronic hair loss syndrome in these animals. It is so bad that ODFW will not allow any live "town" deer to be relocated into a wild population. I would be hesitant to even eat a town deer they look so bad.
I hunt and scout in wilderness areas as well as in some of the winter range. I can not say I have seen one case of CHL in the areas I hunt. Of course that is only my experience and not a true measure of its spread.
