On January 29, Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Congressman Ralph Abraham (LA) introduced H.R. 837, which would authorize necessary research for states to better manage and limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in cervid populations.
Since first identified in 1967, CWD has been documented in wild and/or farmed cervid populations in 26 states and several Canadian provinces. With new detections of CWD in both wild populations and farmed herds in areas that had previously been CWD-free within the last year, increased attention has been brought to the dearth of reliable data on CWD transmission pathways on which wildlife agencies can base their management strategies. CWD is always fatal and there is no known cure or vaccine.
“The conservation community has largely recognized the need for reliable, and consistent data on CWD so that our nation’s wildlife management agencies can implement effective management strategies,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane. “CSF will continue to work with Congressman Abraham and other Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Members on this legislation to ensure that these agencies have the best available information to continue their legacy of professional, science-based management.”
The CSF has worked closely with CSC Members, including Rep. Abraham, state legislators within the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, governors within the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, and conservation partners to encourage additional research and funding to address CWD in the years ahead.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
