CWD cause for concern No cases reported but agencies on alert

Though it hasn’t been detected in Maine, Chronic Wasting Disease is a hot topic among the state’s deer hunters, and has made some sportsmen leery.

While state officials say no evidence of CWD has been found in Maine’s deer herd, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has made available a wealth of information about the disease.

CWD is a fatal disease of the nervous system in deer and elk. It belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform ensephalopathies. Also included in that family of diseases is “mad cow disease.”

Hunters may want to check out the DIF&W Web site (www.state.me.us/ifw if they’re curious about CWD.

Among the preventative actions recommended by state game officials in the Web site are phasing out the feeding of wild deer as a disease preventing measure and using caution while spreading urine-based deer lures in the environment.

Also, those hunters who’ll be heading afield in states or provinces where CWD is known to exist are offered a number of general precautions regarding the handling of their game.

The DIF&W says that if CWD were to emerge in Maine, early detection would provide the best means of controlling or eradicating the disease.

Therefore, the Web site advises, if deer clearly shows the symptoms of CWD, hunters should not kill or handle the deer, and a DIF&W biologist or game warden should be contacted.

State officials caution, however, that deer may appear unhealthy for weeks following a severe winter, and deer injured by vehicles or predators may limp and appear sick.

“Reporting all encounters of sick deer by the public would quickly overwhelm agency personnel,” the site said.

Still, awareness by hunters or deer-watchers could be important, should the disease make its way to Maine.

“Report only deer showing all or most of these CWD symptoms,” the site advises. “Extreme thinness, unaware or unafraid of people, shaking or unable to walk normally, drooling, can’t raise head, and ears drooping.”

TU at Bangor Mall today

Many people have likely stowed their fishing gear and moved on to other outdoors pursuits, but it’s never too early to start thinking about next year.

Thanks to Trout Unlimited, area anglers – especially youngsters – will have the chance to learn a bit more about fly tying and fly fishing.

TU will be at the community booth at the Bangor Mall today, raising money to start a children’s program for fly tying and conservation.

The group plans fly-tying demonstrations where kids can get some hands-on experience. In addition, representatives will discuss projects in progress and answer any questions the public may have about Trout Unlimited. Prospective members will also be able to sign up at the booth.

Trout Unlimited will sell raffle tickets that could provide a holiday treat for your family’s lucky angler. The prizes include $200 worth of flies, a $25 gift certificate to Maine Military in Brewer and a $20 gift certificate to Gunn’s Sport Shop.

Moose hunting hearing set

Another mention for those interested in Maine’s moose hunt: A public hearing on Monday, Nov. 25, will deal with proposed changes to the state’s moose hunt.

Key pieces of the new rules would be reducing permits from 3,000 to 2,505 and limiting hunters to either a bull or an antlerless moose, eliminating the any-moose system.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at DIF&W’s headquarters in Augusta.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.