By Brent Miller, Senior Director, Northeastern States
As of January 30, the previously existing ban on importation of cervids susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) into the state of New York has been extended through August 1, 2023.
In 2018, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets proposed rulemaking to extend the ban on importation of cervids susceptible to CWD such as deer, elk and moose. At a hearing in late October, public comments ranged from supporting the rule as written to advocating for an extension on the ban for 10 years, to those that roundly rebuked the rule stating it would not be effective and deer farmers should be allowed to import animals if they have been examined by a veterinarian and determined to be CWD-free.
The rule will come up for review again in 2022.
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?
