Public meetings on Chronic Wasting Disease scheduled in Decorah and West Union

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has scheduled two meetings in Northeast Iowa to discuss chronic wasting disease after it was confirmed in hunter harvested deer in Winneshiek and Fayette counties.  The positive tests in Winneshiek County came from two adult males and one adult female during the shotgun season. The positive tests in Fayette County came from an adult male during the archery season and an adult female during the shotgun season.
 
Meetings are scheduled for Thursday, March 26th, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in room 206 of Luther College's Valders Hall of Science  and from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 25th, at Holy Name Catholic Church Meeting Hall, 128 North Walnut Street, in West Union.  Both meetings are open to the public.

Iowa DNR wildlife biologist Tyler Harms says there are several things hunters can do to help monitor for the disease.  "The first and most important (step) is to allow sampling of hunter harvested deer," he said. "The second is to remove any mineral blocks and feeders that unnaturally concentrate deer and increase the chance of spreading any disease. (The third is to) report any sick or emaciated deer to the DNR."

"We want people to come to this meeting, ask their questions, hear the concerns from other hunters," Harms said. "Deer hunting is an important tradition and, for some, a large part of their identity. It is also important to us and we need to work together to combat this disease. We want to educate and work with our hunters so we continue to have the best deer herd in the country for generations to come," he said.

The Iowa DNR has more information about chronic wasting disease and other infectious disease online at www.iowadnr.gov/cwd.