CWD Discovered in Four New States and One Canadian Province

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a debilitating neurological malady affecting deer, elk, moose, and caribou. When an animal is infected with the misfolded proteins, or prions, that give rise to CWD, it often takes years for symptoms to manifest. These include a stooped posture, excessive salivation, sagging ears, muscle wasting, and a bizarre indifference toward all sorts of deadly predators. But once those symptoms do show up, the infected...

What the CWD Bill Means for Deer and Deer Hunters

Whitetail deer are the most hunted big game animal in the U.S. Hands down, more people hunt deer than anything else, with more than eight out of 10 licensed hunters nationwide attempting to fill whitetail tags each fall. However, chronic wasting disease (CWD) is spreading like wildfire through deer herds, also threatening elk and moose populations across the nation, and the hunters who depend on them. CWD is a fatal neurological disease which...

Wyoming Legislature Considers Large Carnivore Legislation

The presence of mountain lions, bears, and wolves on the landscape—not to mention on someone’s wall or in their freezer—is fraught with conflict. Folks spend decades thinking about, working on, and advocating for policies relating to these critters, most of which only fan the flames. This week, the Wyoming legislature has an opportunity to turn down the heat. Wyoming Rep. Sandy Newsome (R-Cody) introduced two pieces of legislation that will...