CWD in Illinois Q&A

by Kathy Andrews Wright | December 10, 2020 | Wildlife

A group of white-tailed deer backlit over the crest of a snowy field. A wire fence is in front of the deer. Trees are in the background.

Photo courtesy of the IDNR.

Film Date:

October 14, 2020

Speaker:

Dan Skinner from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Produced by:

Laura Kammin

Kathy Andrews Wright

Edited by:

Sarah Marjanovic

Questions received in advance of the conversation are listed below, with the time noted should you desire to fast-forward to a topic of interest.

00:33 Dan Skinner overview of position with Illinois Department of Natural Resources

01:30 What is Chronic Wasting Disease and why is it problematic?

03:40 The history of CWD in the United States, and specifically in Illinois.

05:58 How is the Illinois Department of Natural Resources managing the state’s white-tailed deer herd to minimize the spread of this disease?

Two-pronged Approach

06:34 Surveillance
- 07:30 Check Stations
08:38 Management
- 08:40 Sharp-shooting Program

10:30 How CWD spreads

11:27 What can the public do to aid in the management of CWD?

11:50 Participate in hunting programs
13:15 Landowners working with District Wildlife Biologists in CWD management operations
14:25 Report sick deer on White-tailed Deer Illinois website

14:56 Signs of CWD

Resources to Review

18:53 IDNR CWD website
19:24 White-tailed Deer Illinois website
19:43 USFS CWD website

20:24 Closing comments

Myths of CWD document on IDNR website
A thank you to purchasers of hunting licenses and permits

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Kathy Andrews Wright retired from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources where she was editor of OutdoorIllinois magazine. She is currently the editor of OutdoorIllinois Journal.