Contact Through Hunting/Taxidermy Practices

Narrator (Voiceover):

Seven years ago, I added three cows and a bull elk to my family's hobby farm.

Being a smaller area, we were able to afford double fencing to discourage predators. We cleared the area around our fence and purchase feed locally from our neighbor.  CWD has been detected in our state, but thankfully not anywhere near us.

The elk have been a nice addition that we really enjoy having.

In my free time I enjoy hunting, so last year my buddy and I drove out west for our annual trip. 

The weather was horrible.  In fact, it rained each day covering everything in mud: my truck, boots, and coveralls. While the weekend was fun, the rain hampered our trip and we were unsuccessful in hunting any deer. 

I was late getting home, so I quickly hosed off my truck, boots and coveralls, and headed out to feed the animals.  

Might he have accidentally exposed his farm to CWD through hunting?

Hunting in areas where CWD has been detected in wild cervids can lead to transmission of CWD through environmental contamination.  

Using the same equipment or clothing for hunting and then wearing it inside your pens may pose a risk. 

It is best practice to have separate boots, clothing and equipment that is only used within the deer pens. 

Also not cleaning then disinfecting your equipment, when possible, according to the current recommendations can potentially spread prions.

To help minimize this risk, boots, clothing, vehicles or equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, when possible.

To help minimize this risk, boots, clothing, vehicles or equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, when possible.