Idaho GameFarms & CWD?

[BANNOCK1877]

Was wondering how many of you had an opinion regarding high-fence hunting operations / big-game farms in Idaho, particularly eastern Idaho.

Has no ruling has been brought to bear (none to my knowledge) regarding importing deer & elk stock from other states?

Anyone know what measures are in place by the IDFG or Idaho Livestock Commision to guard against something nasty like CWD?

 

[BrianID]

I know there are some restrictions on importing deer/elk from other states. I don't know what the resrictions are exactly but I know you can't buy live deer/elk without doing some paper work.

I don't really care about the small game farms. If someone wants to pat themself on the back for shooting a 400" bull elk in a pen I don't care but I won't be very impressed by it.

The large game farms that affect the migration of game animals bother me and I think they should be restricted. That is only my opinion though.

 

[shortmag]

High fence operations offer one thing other than an opportunity for folks who are willing to pay for a trophy critter and that's jeopardy. Our wild critters are at risk due to the when not if risk of pathogens. It is amazing for a state with as much wild country and critters will allow the risk due to the whims of a few. Montana saw the light.

 

[Cornhusker]

We really got CWD going strong in Nebraska with a particular game farm that had nose to nose contact with wild deer outside the fence. The game department killed all in the enclosure and then tried to kill as many as possible in a 10 mile radius. They also opened the specific area up for hunters to take additional deer. It didn't work it's still spreading and every year check station checks show a greater percentage. On the bright side I believe some restrictions were put in place as far as double fencing to avoid nose to nose contact with wild. I really don't like the fenced hunts but understand at times and areas they are probably a fact of life.

 

[BANNOCK1877]

Good points---

I can respect what private property owners would see as their right regarding what they do on their land, however the science of the whole issue isn't adding up.
It's just like what Cornhusker pointed out, and once CWD gets a toe-hold, measures like double-fencing will be a moot point.

I emailed a particular Idaho wildlife interest group (I'm not using their name, as I don't want to put them in this position unless they formally declare it) and the representative stated that another new Eastern Idaho high-fence game farm operation is in the works. They also said that the wide spread sentiment amongst their membership is AGAINST game/trophy farms, and the notion is distasteful.

Apparently these operations/trophy farmers -whatever you want to term them- are using the livestock and ranching industry to insulate their activities from legislation.(Remember the catch phrase "science-based" wildlife mgt?)

One would think, that the Idaho Stockgrowers would want to distance themselves from this type of ranching-- if anything, to avoid the negative PR backlash that will erupt once the first disease gets transmitted/discovered/imported across state lines.

Montana was spot on. Although they may take some heat rounds over the brucellosis/Yellowstone bison issue, game farms ARE NOT an albatross that they will be bothered with. The state (MT) just scored another long term, albeit transparent victory for their wildlife and hunting industry.

Another point--- the lists of states from whom the transport of harvested game is restricted, continues to grow--- basically if that state has CWD--- no one else wants their un-processed game coming in across their lines. Writing on the wall?

A pre-emptive legislative strike is in order here, to prevent Idaho from continuing to place its own, and other intermountain state's deer and elk at risk.

 

[1hitwonder]

I really question your point of view. Where do you get your "facts"? It is a law that all elk that die on these ranches are tested for cwd. It probably is a good idea for game ranchers to double fence to keep their herd healthy from the wild ones. There are alot of elk breeders in the state and each one tb tests them every 2 years. If you have done one tenth the research on cwd as I have you will really question where the spread comes from. If you dont like these operations that is fine. You are entitled to your opinion. But dont talk like you are the brains of Idaho sportsmen. PLEASE. I do not hunt on these preserves but dont care if others do. Perhaps you should put more time in better ways of critizing others.

 

[BANNOCK1877]

Thanks for the input 1hit-- but you are going to have to do better than that. Lay your CWD cards on the table-- remember, not talking about tuberc., just CWD. These forums are all about an exchange of ideas on issues, so don't hold back so much next time. If ya can't take the "criticism", well--- sorry pard!

Meanwhile feast on this--- mind you, it's not nearly a "tenth" of what you know, but it's all I could dredge up in 10 minutes:

Let's look at a timeline on CWD...granted not my "facts"-- just someone elses: (AND IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD FOR TROPHY RANCHES/FARMS)

Late 1960s----First recognition of a clinical syndrome termed "chronic wasting disease" in captive mule deer in Colorado

1977/1978----Diagnosis of CWD in mule deer as a spongiform encephalopathy

1978/1979----Diagnosis of CWD in captive mule deer and black-tailed deer in Wyoming

1979----Diagnosis of CWD in captive Rocky Mountain elk

1980----First published report of CWD in captive mule deer

1981----Diagnosis of CWD in free-ranging Rocky Mountain elk in Colorado

1982----First published report of CWD in Rocky Mountain elk

1996---Diagnosis of CWD in game farm elk in Saskatchewan

1997---Diagnosis of CWD in game farm elk in South Dakota

2000/2001----Diagnosis of CWD in free-ranging mule deer in Saskatchewan, possibly associated with CWD affected elk farm

2001---Extensive depopulation of game farm elk in Saskatchewan due to CWD

2001---Diagnosis of CWD in an elk imported from Canada to Korea in 1997

2001----Declaration of a USDA animal emergency because of CWD in game farm elk

2002---Diagnosis of CWD in free-ranging deer associated with an affected game farm in Nebraska

(Adapted from Williams, E.S., M.W. Miller and E.T. Thorne, 2002. Chronic Wasting Disease: Implications and Challenges for Wildlife Management Presented at the 67th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference)

Hmmmmm. Looks like a pattern, huh?

Here's something else, just in case you figured that all this CWD and gamefarms stuff was just a passing fad and 'all better' and regulated now...

WHOOPS.

Wisconsin: Deer with Chronic Wasting Disease Disappear from Game Farm---Officials puzzled when only four deer found on farm

ASSOCIATED PRESS,Duluth News Tribune, Jan. 22, 2006

PLOVER, Wis. - Sharpshooters killed only four deer at a central Wisconsin game preserve where a number of animals were found to have chronic wasting disease. State officials had expected to find as many as 40 deer there.

State officials plan to meet with the preserve's owner for clues as to why so few deer were found in an enclosure where a hole found in a fence prompted concern that some deer escaped.

"We don't know why we found only four deer on the preserve," said Donna Gilson, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.


Not something I want in MY backyard. (NIMBY)