Roger’s White-Tail Hunting Preserve

Roger (Voiceover):

Hello there! I’m Roger. Welcome to my white-tailed deer hunting preserve. For the past 30 years, I've been here, managing this land with a passion for the outdoors. We participate in our state’s CWD program that ensures we meet strict standards for monitoring and managing CWD. This place is more than just a business—it's been a labor of love, a sanctuary where nature and adventure come together.

One morning, after a storm had hit hard the night before, I walked slowly along the fence line, inspecting the damage. As I reached a section of the fence, I found it flattened to the ground, a large branch lying across it. I didn't realize it then, but that storm had brought something unexpected into my preserve—intruders.

I repaired the fence as quickly as I could, doing  my best to take inventory of the herd. It wasn’t easy, with the deer scattered across the preserve.

It wasn’t until a month later, during my annual inspection, that I made a shocking discovery—two wild white-tailed deer were inside my hunting preserve.

Narrator (Voiceover):

From Roger’s experience, other farmers have learned valuable lessons. To reduce the risk to their herds, many farmers have chosen to implement stronger biosecurity measures. By consistently monitoring and maintaining their perimeter fences, farmers minimize the risk of wild deer entering their properties and help prevent their own animals from escaping.

Some farmers have also cleared forage and forested areas immediately outside the fenced perimeter, making the environment less attractive to wild cervids. These measures help reduce the risk of contact between wild cervids and the herd within the preserve.

These measures, like regular maintenance, biosecurity upgrades, and increased vigilance, may require additional costs but are very helpful steps in safeguarding herds and reducing their risk of CWD.

See video 8 in this series to identify areas of potential exposure on your farm!