On March 20, the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation hosted their quarterly meeting, which focused on Chronic Wasting Disease and hunter recruitment. The Council is comprised of 20 individuals who provide input on ways to promote and enhance Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage, along with an advisor, Robb Miller, who oversees administration of Council activities.
The meeting hosted several guest speakers to provide input on the current status of Chronic Wasting Disease in Pennsylvania including Wayne Laroche, Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease occurring in farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, and moose. CWD can reduce the growth and size of wild deer and elk populations in areas where the prevalence is high, and is of increasing concern for wildlife managers across North America. After CWD was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2012, the Pennsylvania Game Commission issued an executive order to establish Disease Management Areas to prevent further spread of the disease.
Miller spoke about the current state of CWD in Pennsylvania, “Unfortunately, CWD has been detected in both captive and wild deer populations in Pennsylvania, so our attention is focused on the development of effective containment methods, keeping the prevalence rate as low as possible, and educating the public and legislature about the threat of the disease.”
In addition to a presentation on CWD, Michele Kittell, who directs the Wildlife Leadership Academy, presented the program, which engages high school age youth to become conservation ambassadors to ensure a legacy of wildlife, fisheries and natural resources for future generations. A year-round program, the Academy begins its rigorous program with several summer field schools that focus on wildlife/fisheries biology and conservation, as well as leadership skills, development, and community outreach.
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?
