CWD Epicenter

[gatodoc]

Does anyone find it odd that the epicenter of CWD in TN occurred in the area of Ames? Certainly not being accusatory, it's just quite a coincidence that the epicenter of a new outbreak occurred in an area that prides itself on trophy hunting.

Odd isn't it. It may well have occurred from a TN hunter bringing a carcass from a hot zone, or even wearing boots used in a hot zone or truck tires driven through an endemic area. At the end of the day, it's academic because it will surely spread everywhere eventually. There's no way to stop it. The best we can do is slow it down and hope like heck we can develop a vaccine to administer to the population that prevents it.

 

[fairchaser]

I'm not sure what you are implying when you say odd. Are you saying that Ames has anything to do with starting CWD here? Because that's the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. I'll stake everything I am on the fact that there could be nothing further from the truth. You have first rate PHD's on site as well as some of the most respected professionals in QDM consulting on Ames whitetail herd. We've listened to scientific research by professional researchers on how you can not affect the genetics of a wild whitetail herd. Ames would have everything to lose and nothing to gain by bringing in outside deer. Why it's focused there or near there is a mystery that will never be solved but it's got nothing to do with Ames I assure you. It's just very unfortunate.

 

[DaveB]

The positive results are indeed odd but I have not looked at similar maps from other states and should do so.

My thoughts:
1. It isn't Ames, its the highfence private clubs. Isn't one of those clubs a court-battle loser on importing deer?

2. However. I would not put it past an intentional act on the part of person or persons unknown.

 

[Mike Belt]

The disease may have been initially located on or around Ames but I feel pretty confident in saying it wasn't caused by any of the hunters or personnel in the club. The place is monitored pretty close by both parties. We'll probably never know for sure just where it came from but if it came from imported deer I'd opt for blaming one of the high fence operations.

 

[Omega]

Isn't there different strains (DNA?) of the disease? Can it be tested to see what strain it is, then see where in the country that strain is prominent at? Then see if any local group has any connections to that area? I too find it "odd" that it seems to have originated there.

 

[fairchaser]

Isn't there different strains (DNA?) of the disease? Can it be tested to see what strain it is, then see where in the country that strain is prominent at? Then see if any local group has any connections to that area? I too find it "odd" that it seems to have originated there.

That's a good question that I don't know but it could get us closer to the answer but not give us the answer. It would be nice to know but irrelevant at this point. I can assure you it didn't walk here on four legs.

 

[AT Hiker]

The positive results are indeed odd but I have not looked at similar maps from other states and should do so.

My thoughts:
1. It isn't Ames, its the highfence private clubs. Isn't one of those clubs a court-battle loser on importing deer?

2. However. I would not put it past an intentional act on the part of person or persons unknown.

X2


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[gatodoc]

I wasn't picking on Ames....I'm in the east and somewhat geographically challenged. I just knew that was the approximate area where it seemed to start in TN. I wasn't aware of "high fence" operations in the area.

Because there are so many serious deer hunters in the area, it may well have been transmitted by fomites (car or truck tires or boots) or by deer parts inadvertently brought home from areas with CWD.

I just thought it was interesting that the first TN cases started from a relatively "known" area....

Unfortunately, with the nature of this disease, I see no way for it not to be spread all over. The best we can do is slow the process....

 

[mike243]

1 thing to look at any where is folks that process deer elk ect.. the left over bones fat cape ect have to be thrown away and where does it go? , folks have been bringing deer from all over the state to get processed at Adams in Claxton for years , if taken to a land fill buzzards and other critters can and may have eaten some parts and spread the prions

 

[bowhunt25]

1 thing to look at any where is folks that process deer elk ect.. the left over bones fat cape ect have to be thrown away and where does it go? , folks have been bringing deer from all over the state to get processed at Adams in Claxton for years , if taken to a land fill buzzards and other critters can and may have eaten some parts and spread the prions

While I cannot prove this, I can say that there is a deer processor located 3-4 miles west of Ames on hwy 57. That being said, 2 years ago a friend of mine sent me a pic of a 130" velvet buck in august that looks to have the disease. I cant confirm that it has CWD, but if you look at the pic you would agree it might. BTW this buck pic was taken on Cowan loop which is just west of one of Ames western boundary line.

 

[Andy S.]

^^^Not surprised at all about that pic. Cowan Loop used to have unbelievable deer herd (2008 or so) and unbelievable headgear on a lot of their bucks. You ride that loop today and it's nothing like it was, not even close. Unfortunately, Cowan Loop is at ground zero and the deer herd there is infected, and likely has been, for 4-5 years, if not longer. I'd bet a fair amount of money the buck above did have CWD. I know the processor you speak of, and I know he has processed deer from other states that have CWD, and has for quite some time. Thanks for sharing your story and photo.

 

[ronnycl]

op:

 

[Tiny]

Sad no matter how it got here..


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[BigAl]

You can't tell a deer has CWD by looking at a deer or a pic.

 

[bowhunt25]

You can't tell a deer has CWD by looking at a deer or a pic.

You're right, and you can't tell if a crack head is on crack....Only a suggestion of possibility.

 

[Andy S.]

You can't tell a deer has CWD by looking at a deer or a pic.

.....and you can't tell he doesn't have it either. You have to use ALL of the knowledge at your fingertips to make an informed decision, which is where my comment above came from.

 

[mike243]

I wonder if it could be caught by goats? I do know there is a large demand for goats for meat by some foreign nationals here in ETN , just throwing the idea out to see if many are raised or traded out that direction

 

[poorhunter]

I wonder if it could be caught by goats? I do know there is a large demand for goats for meat by some foreign nationals here in ETN , just throwing the idea out to see if many are raised or traded out that direction

Not supposed to effect goats.

 

[AT Hiker]

Goats? How about pigs?
Here is the scenario;
CWD infected deer dies, wild hog eats the carcass, contracts a variant of the prion, spreads to domestic pigs and that strain becomes viable for humans to contract.

Don't believe it's possible?
Real life scenario that has a very strong link; sheep have scrapie but humans seem to not contract it, sheep gives scrapie to cattle (ground animal byproducts feed to other animals) and they become infected with BSE. We eat infected cattle and contract vCJD.

Not to mention researchers might have discovered different variations of CWD.




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[DaveB]

Yep, the species jump is the fear of the CDC because then humans could pass to humans and with the variable incubation a lot of people could be infected. Should that happen we may all be witness to the walking dead. Kinda creepy, eh?

 

[tnanh]

^^^Not surprised at all about that pic. Cowan Loop used to have unbelievable deer herd (2008 or so) and unbelievable headgear on a lot of their bucks. You ride that loop today and it's nothing like it was, not even close. Unfortunately, Cowan Loop is at ground zero and the deer herd there is infected, and likely has been, for 4-5 years, if not longer. I'd bet a fair amount of money the buck above did have CWD. I know the processor you speak of, and I know he has processed deer from other states that have CWD, and has for quite some time. Thanks for sharing your story and photo.

I have also heard the processor in Grand Junction has also but I don't know that for a fact.

 

[Tiny]

Goats? How about pigs?
Here is the scenario;
CWD infected deer dies, wild hog eats the carcass, contracts a variant of the prion, spreads to domestic pigs and that strain becomes viable for humans to contract.

Don't believe it's possible?
Real life scenario that has a very strong link; sheep have scrapie but humans seem to not contract it, sheep gives scrapie to cattle (ground animal byproducts feed to other animals) and they become infected with BSE. We eat infected cattle and contract vCJD.

Not to mention researchers might have discovered different variations of CWD.




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OK.. That part on how it went to cows has always bothered me...Especially with supplemental feeding getting more popular everyyear.. Not saying that's why n hiw its spread as its has but do wonder.

I try to stay away form the man made stuff but have used..because of very reason..



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[poorhunter]

Goats? How about pigs?
Here is the scenario;
CWD infected deer dies, wild hog eats the carcass, contracts a variant of the prion, spreads to domestic pigs and that strain becomes viable for humans to contract.

Don't believe it's possible?
Real life scenario that has a very strong link; sheep have scrapie but humans seem to not contract it, sheep gives scrapie to cattle (ground animal byproducts feed to other animals) and they become infected with BSE. We eat infected cattle and contract vCJD.

Not to mention researchers might have discovered different variations of

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I used to always feed the deer carcasses to our pigs...never more, IF I even deer hunt anymore.

 

[Novocaine]

There is some factor(s) in that area that created the hot spot. As an internet expert, I would lean toward a local meat processor or some type of contaminated feed that was distributed to that area.