August 1, 2003

The rules are currently before the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR). They have until August 10th to either vote to object to the rules, vote to accept, or not vote. Voting to accept or not voting would allow the rules to go into effect in 30 days. But, this committee already voted twice to object to the rule. If they object this time it's permanent, and there will continue to be no rules, even inside the CWD zones for a long time.

Last time all the republicans on JCRAR voted against the rules, and since they control the committee it failed. This includes Senators Leibham and Lazish and Representative Gunderson. Clearly this issue is partisan, since the democrats voted in favor. It is widely acknowledged even by republican legislators that the anti-DNR leadership in the republican caucus (most likely lead by John Gard and Robert Welch) are using every opportunity they can to punish the DNR. Rejecting the baiting and feeding bans is just another item in a long list which includes cuts to the stewardship fund and the failed license fee increase, which was supported by every hunting and conservation group in the state. The republican controlled legislature voted for these cuts despite overwhelming public support. Apparently they don't care what the public thinks, they have an agenda and it includes attacking the DNR every chance they get. What this means for us is the health and vitality of our deer herd is nothing more than a pawn in a ridiculous game of politics.

In addition we recently received a copy of a letter sent to members of the legislature by a person in New York state which illustrates that there is more at risk than just deer hunting. This letter indicated our dairy products are being viewed with suspicion outside Wisconsin because CWD is closely related to mad cow disease (you can read the letter here). It doesn't matter what all the studies show, perceptions are everything and this could severely impact our agriculture economy. That is one reason why the baiting and feeding bans are supported by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association and the Dept. of Agriculture.

The deer baiting and feeding rules are supported by every hunting organization that has taken a stance, and are only opposed by 2 small groups located in the Ashland area. These 2 groups are closely associated with the deer and elk farming industry (for more information read our press release). This industry is known to have imported CWD and another feared disease, bovine tuberculosis (TB) into Wisconsin. An audit of the warden reports for Manitowoc county uncovered startling information on some of these game farms. In several cases fences were in such poor shape that wild deer were moving in and out of pens where CWD and TB infected animals were located. In fact 20% of the 29 game farms in Manitowoc county had either TB or CWD detected recently. Some farmers even intentionally released deer so not to have to test for diseases as required by the new rules. Clearly this means that the entire state is at risk for CWD. Even Natural Resource Committee chair Trig Solberg, a huge baiting and feeding supporter, stated that we should get rid of game farms. There are over 900 such farms in the state, chances are you live within 15 miles of one. How sure are you that they are properly monitored for diseases and have adequate fences?

It is completely ironic that people associated with an industry known to have imported diseased animals into this state is opposed to one of the few means the DNR has to prevent the spread of CWD to your favorite hunting spot. It seems the misinformation and false statements made by these groups over the origin of CWD serves a purpose, and that is to cast a doubt and create confusion because they do not want to take responsibility for spreading CWD. Never mind the only proven method known to spread CWD beyond the endemic area of northeast Colorado, southeast WY and extreme northwest Nebraska is by moving infected animals. The truth is that the so called studies they cite have never been published in any scientific peer reviewed journals, or even published in the first place. A list of their so called experts includes Dr. James Kroll (owner of a huge Texas game farm), R. A. Forest (elk farmer in Colorado) and in particular a Mark Purdy. Purdy is an organic farmer with a "beef" with the British government over mad cow disease. Mr. Purdy claims to have visited the CWD area of Wisconsin and noted "copper poor granite bedrock" just like the CWD endemic areas of Colorado and Wyoming. Too bad there is no granite bedrock anywhere near the area, you have to travel at least 100 miles to find any granite bedrock!

For more information on the alternative CWD theories pushed by these groups see this memo (not online yet, email us for it). Sure it's written by the DNR but it echoes what 99% of the wildlife biologists and veterinarians in the world are saying about CWD. There will always be opposing views on any subject, but when the scientific community is in overwhelming agreement on an issue you have to wonder what motivates those speaking against. In this case it's clearly MONEY.

The legislature better figure it out quickly that this game is not between the legislature and the DNR, it's between the legislature and all who love deer and deer hunting. We fully intend to expose the truth and make sure the public knows who is going to be responsible for the demise of our deer herd. Right now it appears the republican party of Wisconsin is working overtime to make that happen.