CWD Update from Texas Parks and Wildlife
Efforts to contain Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Texas are proving fruitful. Hunters and landowners provided close to 13,000 samples in the last testing year, which ended in Feb. This far exceeds the target of 7,039 samples, and we thank you for your dedicated effort to help us defeat this disease in Texas.
Test results revealed 26 CWD-infected deer, plus 6 “suspect positives” that are being confirmed. CWD was discovered for the first time in Val Verde County, and plans have been developed to manage the disease in that area. All other new free-ranging positives were within existing containment zones.
We encourage you to continue to get your deer tested to help our biologists with statewide sampling efforts. Early detection is critical to managing and containing CWD in order to protect Texas deer.
CWD was first recognized in 1967 and discovered in Texas in 2012. Since then it has been detected in 169 white-tailed deer, red deer and mule deer in Dallam, El Paso, Hartley, Hudspeth, Kimble, Lavaca, Medina, Uvalde and Val Verde counties, 129 of which are connected to deer breeding facilities and release sites.
Test results revealed 26 CWD-infected deer, plus 6 “suspect positives” that are being confirmed. CWD was discovered for the first time in Val Verde County, and plans have been developed to manage the disease in that area. All other new free-ranging positives were within existing containment zones.
We encourage you to continue to get your deer tested to help our biologists with statewide sampling efforts. Early detection is critical to managing and containing CWD in order to protect Texas deer.
CWD was first recognized in 1967 and discovered in Texas in 2012. Since then it has been detected in 169 white-tailed deer, red deer and mule deer in Dallam, El Paso, Hartley, Hudspeth, Kimble, Lavaca, Medina, Uvalde and Val Verde counties, 129 of which are connected to deer breeding facilities and release sites.
COVID-19: Changes to Hunting & Fishing Regulations
Found this article over at TheMeatEater.com website.
NOTE: This is just an excerpt. Please go to TheMeatEater.com website for the full article.
As states scramble to slow the spread of COVID-19 and enact a wide range of regulations to enforce social distance, many hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreators are left wondering what they’re allowed to do. We want to help keep everyone informed, safe, legal, and, whenever possible, outside. Below you’ll find regular updates to regulations and rule changes that impact hunters, anglers, and public land recreators. While we can’t promise that this list will cover every single rule change around the country in real time, we’ll do our best to keep it current and accurate. Please email us at meateater@themeateater.com if you know of a regulation change that we’re missing.
Here is the part that applies to Texas:
NOTE: This is just an excerpt. Please go to TheMeatEater.com website for the full article.
As states scramble to slow the spread of COVID-19 and enact a wide range of regulations to enforce social distance, many hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreators are left wondering what they’re allowed to do. We want to help keep everyone informed, safe, legal, and, whenever possible, outside. Below you’ll find regular updates to regulations and rule changes that impact hunters, anglers, and public land recreators. While we can’t promise that this list will cover every single rule change around the country in real time, we’ll do our best to keep it current and accurate. Please email us at meateater@themeateater.com if you know of a regulation change that we’re missing.
Here is the part that applies to Texas:
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April 7, Texas: Starting at 5:00 p.m., all state parks will be closed until further notice. Fishing and hunting seasons remain open and unchanged.
Source: https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20200407a
CDC Issues Warning of Tuberculosis Transmission from Deer to People
CDC Study - Deer With Tuberculosis Can Transmit Bacteria To People. On Fox 7 News in Austin, they said this study was from northern states, but could be a possibility in Texas. Unfortunately, not much research time has been spent studying this in Texas, yet.
Recommendations from the doctor discussing this on Fox 7 News was to use precaution by wearing gloves when dealing with blood and raw meat and to wear a mask when opening the body cavity and dealing with organs to prevent inhaling particles.
You can read the news article from Fox 7 News Austin here.
Recommendations from the doctor discussing this on Fox 7 News was to use precaution by wearing gloves when dealing with blood and raw meat and to wear a mask when opening the body cavity and dealing with organs to prevent inhaling particles.
You can read the news article from Fox 7 News Austin here.
Proof of Hunter Education
If you were born after 9/1/1971, you are required to take a Hunter Education course. Proof of Hunter Education must be carried with you in the field. If you can't find your card, you can print a duplicate at no charge. Be sure to keep it in your pocket along with your hunting license.