spectr17
04-24-2003, 11:51 PM
Apr. 23, 2003
Bounty considered for killing deer in zone where CWD found
Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. -Department of Natural Resources officials are looking into the possibility of paying a bounty to hunters who kill deer in the area near Mount Horeb where chronic wasting disease has been found.
Tom Hauge, the agency's wildlife director, said Tuesday DNR officials have been meeting with legislators to gather support for such a move and to discuss how to pay for it.
The issue came up as a panel of experts from outside Wisconsin spent the second of two days listening to and advising DNR officials about managing the fatal brain disease in the animals.
A bounty program would require legislative approval at a time when lawmakers are grappling with the state's projected $3.2 billion budget deficit.
Hauge said it was premature to estimate a cost or a funding source, but the DNR might have to tap its own funds, use federal dollars earmarked for the disease or rely on private donations.
Rep. DuWayne Johnsrud, R-Eastman, chairman of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, said a bounty would give the department another weapon in the fight against CWD.
"It's something that they could do to help manage things in the epicenter of this thing," Johnsrud said.
While meeting in special session last spring to deal with the fatal deer disease, state lawmakers rejected a $50-a-head bounty on deer, with the money coming from the state wildlife fund.
"That starts to get costly," Johnsrud acknowledged. "But if we need to, we have to. These are not critters in a pen, so it takes extra special means to get them. They could do it in a certain area or township where they've had trouble."
Killing as many deer as possible within the 411-square-mile so-called eradication zone around Mount Horeb is a key part of the DNR's plan to combat the fatal brain disease.
All 190 deer that have tested positive for it are inside or near the zone.
Bounty considered for killing deer in zone where CWD found
Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. -Department of Natural Resources officials are looking into the possibility of paying a bounty to hunters who kill deer in the area near Mount Horeb where chronic wasting disease has been found.
Tom Hauge, the agency's wildlife director, said Tuesday DNR officials have been meeting with legislators to gather support for such a move and to discuss how to pay for it.
The issue came up as a panel of experts from outside Wisconsin spent the second of two days listening to and advising DNR officials about managing the fatal brain disease in the animals.
A bounty program would require legislative approval at a time when lawmakers are grappling with the state's projected $3.2 billion budget deficit.
Hauge said it was premature to estimate a cost or a funding source, but the DNR might have to tap its own funds, use federal dollars earmarked for the disease or rely on private donations.
Rep. DuWayne Johnsrud, R-Eastman, chairman of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, said a bounty would give the department another weapon in the fight against CWD.
"It's something that they could do to help manage things in the epicenter of this thing," Johnsrud said.
While meeting in special session last spring to deal with the fatal deer disease, state lawmakers rejected a $50-a-head bounty on deer, with the money coming from the state wildlife fund.
"That starts to get costly," Johnsrud acknowledged. "But if we need to, we have to. These are not critters in a pen, so it takes extra special means to get them. They could do it in a certain area or township where they've had trouble."
Killing as many deer as possible within the 411-square-mile so-called eradication zone around Mount Horeb is a key part of the DNR's plan to combat the fatal brain disease.
All 190 deer that have tested positive for it are inside or near the zone.