Out & About: Chronic Wasting Disease’s gradual spread worries wildlife biologists

OUTLOOK – As Chronic Wasting Disease, a fatal and contagious disease that can spread slowly among a deer or elk herd, is discovered in more whitetails in Missouri, wildlife biologists are worried about future deer populations.

The situation isn’t at the crisis stage, deer biologist Jason Sumners told the Missouri Conservation Commission recently. But aggressive action is needed, he said.

CWD has been found in captive or wild populations in 17 states and two provinces. No CWD cases in wild deer, elk or moose have been confirmed in Idaho or Washington. However, cases have been discovered as close as Montana, Wyoming and Utah.

In 2002, less than 10 percent of Wisconsin’s harvested deer in the core area where CWD was discovered tested positive for the disease. Last year, testing showed that almost 40 percent of adult male deer that were tested had CWD.

“There are three things we know for sure about CWD,” Sumner said: “It kills deer, it will spread and will increase in prevalence with time.

“Unfortunately, we think this will be the story for the next couple of decades.”

Increasing numbers of harvested deer in Missouri have tested positive for CWD. In the 2014-15 season, 15 afflicted deer were taken in the core area. More troubling to officials was the discovery of CWD in one deer taken far from that hot zone.

Since 2012, Missouri has had 26 free-ranging deer test positive for the disease.

The state is using hunters and increasing permits and seasons to kill more core-area deer to reduce their numbers.

Info: cwd-info.org.

Mobile app tracks moose

OUTREPORT – Don’t just tell your friends and family next time you see a moose in Washington. Tell somebody who really cares.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife researchers compiling long-term data for population trends want to hear about your moose observations when you’re afield this fall and winter, especially in northeast Washington.

A new smartphone application makes moose reporting easier than logging onto the agency’s website.

Directions for downloading and using the free smartphone application are at wdfw.wa.gov/viewing/moose/. 

Salmon seminar Saturday in Spokane

OUTFISH – A free, two-hour salmon fishing seminar focused on fall chinook in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia is set for Saturday, starting at noon, at Sportsman’s Warehouse, 6720 N. Division St. in Spokane.

Troy Black of Blacky’s Guide Service, based in Hayden, will showcase four effective methods for catching these prized King salmon.

Members of the Coastal Conservation Association will discuss the CCA King of the Reach Live Capture fishing derby that’s scheduled for Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

The Live Capture event allows anglers exclusive access to the river when it is normally closed and it is a great way to give back to the fishery.