IOWA BOWHUNTER FALL 2024

DNR NEWS FALL ISSUE By Catherine Cummings

How Iowa Bowhunters Can Help Monitor CWD Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal disease affecting cervids including white-tailed deer, moose, elk, mule deer, and caribou. In Iowa, CWD was first detected in a wild white-tailed deer in Allamakee County in 2013, and has since spread to 23 counties (please see our Interactive CWD Dashboard for updated information: https://www. iowadnr.gov/idnr/Hunting/Deer-Hunting/Deer Health/Chronic-Wasting-Disease/Surveillance Results). he disease is caused by the misfolding of naturally ccurring proteins, called prions. As the disease progresses, these misfolded prion proteins accumulate in all tissues in the body, including muscle, but become highly concentrated in the brain, spinal cord, and lymph nodes. Prion aggregates ultimately impair the neurologic function of infected animals, leading to rapid decline after a long asymptomatic phase. Understanding CWD Transmission and Signs One of the challenges in managing CWD is its long incubation period, which can range from 18–36 months, during which infected deer appear perfectly healthy. Despite a normal appearance, infected deer can still spread the disease to other cervids through bodily fluids like saliva, urine, and feces. Once clinical signs do appear, they often include excessive salivation, behavioral changes, decreased social awareness, and emaciation. It is important to note that these signs of CWD are similar to other diseases, so the only way to confirm a deer has CWD is through diagnostic testing. management strategy that supports quality deer populations for hunting while minimizing negative impacts such as property/crop damage and disease. Since overabundant deer populations likely increase the rate of CWD transmission, keeping deer density at a healthy level is important. This means that in some CWD-positive counties, increasing doe harvest is the responsible How does Iowa DNR manage CWD? The Iowa DNR is committed to a deer

action – but not always. Many Iowa counties are currently on the low end of their deer management objective, in which case encouraging more doe harvest may not be necessary. The DNR does not employ sharpshooters to manage our county deer populations, but instead relies solely on hunters. The Importance of Hunters in CWD Monitoring The Iowa DNR has been conducting CWD surveillance since 2002, relying heavily on voluntary sample submissions from hunters. This effort helps track the disease’s spread and apparent prevalence, which informs management strategies aimed at reducing transmission, and helps inform the public on CWD risks in their area. Hunters play an essential role in this statewide effort by submitting tissue samples from harvested deer. Why Testing Matters CWD testing helps the Iowa DNR understand the distribution and apparent prevalence of the disease. Additionally, it helps hunters make informed decisions about consuming venison. Although current evidence supports the presence of a strong species barrier mitigating the risk of CWD transmitting to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises to test deer harvested in areas where the disease has been detected and for individuals to not consume meat from CWD-positive animals. How to Submit Samples for CWD Testing: There are two ways for hunters to submit tissue samples: 1. D NR Surveillance Program: Contact your local DNR wildlife staff to have a sample taken. Additionally, there are freezers in central and northeast Iowa where hunters can drop deer heads off at any time for sample submission. Be sure to leave at least 2 inches of neck tissue below the jaw to ensure that the lymph nodes are present for sampling. This method is free for hunters who participate until the quota in the county or Deer Management Zone is reached. You

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