New York State deer hunters who hunt in Pennsylvania are given notice that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an emergency rule that revises the state's Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) regulations in response to a confirmed case of CWD in Pennsylvania.
Effective immediately, the revision prohibits importing certain parts of whitetailed deer or American Elk taken in the state of Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed that the first case of CWD in Pennsylvania on Oct. 11 at a deer farm in New Oxford (Adams County), Pa.
Article Photos
OBSERVER photos by Gene Pauszek
At left, representing New York state at the National Rifle Association’s International Youth Hunter Education Challenge in Mansfield, Pa. were, from left to right, Michael Boll Jr., Rachel Boll, Kyle Rhebergen, Alex Crossley and Dalton Crossley. At right is a picture of a deer. Motorists should be aware that deer will be on the move during the next few weeks.
CWD is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. The DEC has amended its CWD regulations to prohibit the importing of various parts of deer or elk taken from Pennsylvania, which would include the brain, eyes, spinal cord, tonsils, intestinal tract, spleen or retropharyngeal nodes.
DEC commissioner Joe Martens states, " Hunters who take a deer or elk in Pennsylvania must now butcher the animal and remove the prohibited parts before entering New York State. This action is necessary to protect New York's population of deer and moose. Most successful hunters already opt to butcher deer and put the meat in a cooler before traveling back to New York."
The DEC initiated a surveillance program in 2002 and saw the first confirmed case in New York in 2005. Since that time the DEC has NOT detected any more cases in the state.
The DEC has since revised their plan and this year will collect tissue samples from taxidermists and deer processors. It is not sure exactly how the spread of CWD occurs, although the scientists suspect the infectious agent is passed on from animal to animal through contact with feces, urine or saliva.
The DEC warns hunters not to consume the meat of animals that act abnormal and to use precaution when butchering an animal, like using rubber or latex gloves. Dispose of deer parts that will not be consumed in a municipal landfill.
For more information about CWD go to www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7507.html or the CWD alliance website at www.cwd-info.org.
The New York State Youth Hunter Education Challenge received a grant of $3,900 from the NRA Foundation to send participants to the NRA International YHEC in Mansfield, Pa. Alex and Dalton Crossley, Michael Boll Jr. and his sister Rachel, and Kyle Rhebergen represented New York State by competing in archery, rifle, orienteering, shotgun, muzzleloading, wildlife identification, hunter safety trail and hunter responsibility exam. All the participants did an outstanding job according to their mentor Tom Kelly and received patches for their individual events.
The group expresses their thanks to the following clubs and organizations for their support in this endeavor: The Carroll Rod & Gun, Jamestown Rifle, Westfield Fish & Game, Falconer Rod & Gun, The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, Ripley Rod & Gun, Rammelt & Sons, and the Chautauqua County Sportsmens Federation.
Calendar:
The SAREP Youth Fly Fishing Program will begins its 14th season of FREE fly tying/fly fishing classes on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Fredonia Middle School Cafeteria. Field trips will occur shortly afterwards. Classes are free and open to children and community members. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The classes will continue to meet every Monday until early summer.
The Westfield Fish & Game Club will host turkey shoots at its club located on Ogden Road on Sunday, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4. The events will start at noon and last until they're finished. These events will be held rain or shine. The public is welcome. All legal centerfire firearms are permitted. Ammunition will be provided for birdshot and deer slugs only. There will be .22 caliber shoots on the indoor range. Bring your own ammo.
If your club is holding a similar event contact the OBSERVER at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 5 p.m.
The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will resume its annual Hunters Helping the Hungry program. On Tuesdays, Con Club members are urged to bring a non-perishable food item with them. All donations will be distributed to the needy in the community through the efforts of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Youth Organization during the Christmas season.
Fly tying classes have resumed on Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m., at the Sinclairville Free Library. Classes will continue until May. All tools and materials are provided free. For more information, call 962-3635 or 485-3919 or log on www.countrykidsonthefly.blogspot.com.
The Ellery Rod & Gun Club located on Pancake Hill Road, Bemus Point will host turkey shoots on Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 . from 9 until noon. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. until noon. These events are open to the public.
The Westfield Fish & Game Club will host its 65th annual turkey shoot on Sunday, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 from noon until finish. The club is located on Ogden Road .
The Evans Rod & Gun Club located on Cain Road between Rt 5 and Rt. 20 will host "Sighting In Day" on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. This event is open to the public to sight in your deer slugs, rifles, handguns and muzzleloaders. They feature covered firing line with concrete shooting benches. Targets provided at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. NRA Certified Range safety officers & experienced shooters will provide assistance. Fee is $5 per gun.
The 2012 Arts of the Angler Show will take place on Nov. 10 & 11 at the Danbury Ethan Allen Inn, exit 4 on Rte. I-84 Danbury, Conn. This will be a little taste of fly fisherman's heaven, featuring the finest contemporary and collectible fly fishing including tackle and accessories, materials, books destinations, guiding, and services for the fly fishing community. There will also be a live auction on Nov. 10. For more information call 845-439-4810 or e-mail: flyfish@catskill.net. Visit the website at www.cffcm.net
Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.
