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DFG Checkpoint to Stop Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from Entering California Successful
11/6/08
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) inspected 117 vehicles at a checkpoint October 20 and 21 to help prevent transport of chronic wasting disease (CWD). The checkpoint was conducted at the California Department of Food and Agriculture Yermo Border Protection Station located near Barstow on Interstate 15.
Game wardens issued a total of 12 citations. All of the violations included importation of illegal deer or elk parts that could contain CWD. Violations included bringing in sport harvested elk and deer heads, portions of the spinal column and brain and in some cases the entire field dressed carcass.
DFG Assistant Chief Mike McBride said, "The majority of deer and elk carcasses we inspected were in compliance with California's CWD law but we continue to see a need for these educational inspection details."
DFG game wardens inspected deer and elk meat or parts that could contain CWD. DFG has been educating California hunters about CWD for the past five years. States with CWD have advised out-of-state hunters to adhere to home state regulations to help prevent importation of the disease.
Wardens inspected 61 deer, six elk, one moose, and other fish and wildlife. The compliance rate for inspected carcasses was 75 percent indicating that the message to protect California deer and elk from CWD has reached out-of-state hunters. The compliance rate for all hunters entering the inspection station was approximately 94 percent.
"We are pleased that the majority of hunters are adhering to the law but we need 100 percent compliance because of the seriousness of this issue. Hunters and wardens have to be vigilant to protect California's deer and elk herds from CWD," said McBride.
Cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture was excellent and one game warden from Utah assisted. Six cases are being jointly investigated with Utah. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent was also present and two violations fell within federal jurisdiction.
CWD is not present in California, but transporting a deer spinal column or brain from a state where the disease exists could introduce it.
CWD has been found in 15 states and two Canadian provinces. It is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and elk, but has not been found in humans. Hunters are prohibited from bringing any portion of elk or deer into California that could contain CWD, as outlined in the state's hunting and sport fishing regulations, available on the Web at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations. For more information about CWD, please visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/cwd.
Media Contact:
Mike McBride, DFG Enforcement Division, (909) 484-0167
Harry Morse, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8911
11/6/08
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) inspected 117 vehicles at a checkpoint October 20 and 21 to help prevent transport of chronic wasting disease (CWD). The checkpoint was conducted at the California Department of Food and Agriculture Yermo Border Protection Station located near Barstow on Interstate 15.
Game wardens issued a total of 12 citations. All of the violations included importation of illegal deer or elk parts that could contain CWD. Violations included bringing in sport harvested elk and deer heads, portions of the spinal column and brain and in some cases the entire field dressed carcass.
DFG Assistant Chief Mike McBride said, "The majority of deer and elk carcasses we inspected were in compliance with California's CWD law but we continue to see a need for these educational inspection details."
DFG game wardens inspected deer and elk meat or parts that could contain CWD. DFG has been educating California hunters about CWD for the past five years. States with CWD have advised out-of-state hunters to adhere to home state regulations to help prevent importation of the disease.
Wardens inspected 61 deer, six elk, one moose, and other fish and wildlife. The compliance rate for inspected carcasses was 75 percent indicating that the message to protect California deer and elk from CWD has reached out-of-state hunters. The compliance rate for all hunters entering the inspection station was approximately 94 percent.
"We are pleased that the majority of hunters are adhering to the law but we need 100 percent compliance because of the seriousness of this issue. Hunters and wardens have to be vigilant to protect California's deer and elk herds from CWD," said McBride.
Cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture was excellent and one game warden from Utah assisted. Six cases are being jointly investigated with Utah. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent was also present and two violations fell within federal jurisdiction.
CWD is not present in California, but transporting a deer spinal column or brain from a state where the disease exists could introduce it.
CWD has been found in 15 states and two Canadian provinces. It is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and elk, but has not been found in humans. Hunters are prohibited from bringing any portion of elk or deer into California that could contain CWD, as outlined in the state's hunting and sport fishing regulations, available on the Web at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations. For more information about CWD, please visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/cwd.
Media Contact:
Mike McBride, DFG Enforcement Division, (909) 484-0167
Harry Morse, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8911
