Caledonia Argus

DNR taking samples for Chronic Wasting Disease

Posted: 11/11/03

When John Mirasola pulled into Bissenís Tavern in Brownsville to register his deer on Sunday, he was approached by Brandon Seitz.

Seitz, a biological science technician with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Trempeleau, asked permission to take samples of the deer to test for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

Mirasola agreed. So Sietz gathered information from the Brookfield, Wisconsin man, like his name, address, and the location of the kill.

Seitzís co-worker, Randy Markl, used a hand saw to take samples of the animalís brain and cut off its head. These items will be sent to a laboratory and tested for CWD.

Markl, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources area wildlife manager, said they had only gathered 14 samples before Mirasola and some friends pulled in with several deer. The DNR would like to get 300 samples from permit Area 349, which encompasses the Caledonia area. They do not test fawns.

The testing is on a volunteer basis, and hunters who participate get a patch and a chance to win some prizes. CWD has not been found in Minnesota, Markl said, and the tests will try to make sure that it hasnít done so.

DNR workers will be parked in their pick-up truck in front of Bissenís again this coming weekend and during the doe season, which runs from November 22-30. They should get more takers then, Markl said.

He was surprised that he hadnít seen more deer on the first weekend, given that 700 antlerless permits were issued for this permit area. ìWe just havenít seen very many,î he said.

The hunt seems slower than usual, local hunters are telling Markl, who is from Windom. That could be a factor of the cold weather or the full moon.

Top of Page