By Zach Widner, Northwest States Senior Manager
On February 12, the Oregon House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on HB 2294, a bill that would require commercial cervid (deer, elk, moose) attractant products derived from cervid urine to come from a herd demonstrated to be free of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
HB 2294 is sponsored by Oregon Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Brad Witt.
While CWD has not yet been detected in Oregon, it has been detected within cervid populations in 26 states, with many states taking stringent measures aimed at preventing further spread. CWD is a contagious neurological disease affecting members of the cervid family, including deer, elk and moose. Once contracted, the disease is always fatal.
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?
