Recently the New York Department of Environmental Conservation sent an email to locals in Region 6 and then to the rest of the state concerning detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) at a captive deer farm in Region 6.  

Review our CWD Policy Statement and as hunters and conservationist, we encourage you to engage in science-based wildlife management practices to limit the spread of CWD proposed by the NYSDEC. If you travel to this region to hunt please follow the protocols set forth below.  

The following is the email sent by NYSDEC in regards to the CDW detection in Region 6.

CWD Detection in Southern Herkimer County: What to Know and How You Can Help

In late October, New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) announced confirmation of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a captive deer facility located in southern Herkimer County. CWD is an always fatal disease of certain deer species that is spreading across the country and poses a serious threat to New York’s wild white-tailed deer and moose populations. DEC and AGM activated New York State’s Interagency CWD Response Plan (PDF) to investigate the situation. While there is no evidence that CWD is present in wild deer at this time, DEC is enhancing CWD surveillance in this area and is requesting assistance from local hunters and the general public.

Anyone that observes sick or dying deer, including roadkill deer, in the towns of Columbia, German Flatts, or Warren in Herkimer County, and the town of Richfield in Otsego County, should report the deer to DEC immediately.

To report sick/dead deer email ([email protected]) or call DEC’s Region 6 Wildlife Office (315-785-2263)

Additionally, hunters who harvest a deer in any of these same towns as well as in the towns of Litchfield or Winfield in Herkimer County should save the deer’s head and drop the head off for testing at one the locations below. A white metal container with DEC messaging will be included at each location (photo of container below). Please follow the instructions below when submitting a head for testing. DEC will test deer heads at no cost to hunters and will notify hunters immediately if the deer tests positive for CWD.

Instructions:

1. Cut the deer head with some neck remaining.
2. Keep head chilled or frozen until submission to DEC.
3. Remove skull plate and antlers on bucks before submission.
4. Place the head in a plastic garbage bag.
5. Label the bag with your name, address, and phone number.
6. Deposit the bagged head in the white metal container at one of the locations below.

Taxidermists can sample deer you intend to have mounted.

Deer head drop-off locations:

Town of Warren

• 131 Hyde-Bell Lane, Jordanville NY 13361 (highway department)

Town of Columbia

• 936 Jordanville Road, Ilion NY 13367 (sand building)
• 147 County Route 259, Ilion NY 13357 (town hall)

Town of Litchfield

• 804 Cedarville Road, Ilion NY 13357 (highway department)

Town of Winfield

• 306 Stone Road, West Winfield NY 13491(highway department)

Town of Herkimer

• 225 North Main Street, Herkimer NY 13350 (Herkimer NYSDEC Office)

Town of Richfield

• Boss Farm, 1545 County Route 25, Richfield Springs 13439

As conservationists, hunters have great responsibility to prevent the introduction of CWD into New York’s wild deer population. CWD is nearly impossible to eliminate once established and has the potential to impact all the benefits associated with deer and moose in New York including hunting traditions, sustainable consumption of venison, and the economic benefits derived from deer hunting.

Do your part to help protect New York’s deer and moose populations and deer hunting heritage by also taking the following precautions:

• If you harvest any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou while hunting outside of New York, debone the venison before bringing it back into New York. DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported deer carcasses and parts;
• If you harvest a deer from an area outside of New York known to have CWD, submit samples to that state’s Department of Natural Resources for CWD testing before consuming the venison. If the test is positive for CWD, contact DEC for proper disposal of the venison.
• Avoid using deer urine-based lures or attractant scents, as these could contain CWD. Use synthetic products instead;
• Dispose of deer carcass waste in a landfill, not on the landscape;
• Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles; and
• Do not consume game that appears sick or diseased.

DEC and AGM appreciate the assistance of hunters and the public and will provide additional information as it becomes available based on surveillance and response activities associated with this CWD detection.