Chippewa County Deer Tests Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease

Chippewa County will be forced to renew baiting and feeding bans after a harvested deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the positive test came from a one year old buck that was harvested by a hunter in Chippewa County. It is the first confirmed case of chronic wasting disease detected in the county. Additionally, because the buck was harvested within 10 miles of the Barron and Dunn County borders, all three counties will need to keep their current baiting and feeding bans in place.

Following the detection, Chippewa County will renew a three year baiting and feeding ban that was already in place and Barron County will renew a two year baiting and feeding ban that was already in place. Dunn County is already under a three year baiting and feeding ban after previous positive detections so it will not need to renew the ban.

Chronic wasting disease affects the nervous system and is fatal in deer. It was first discovered in Wisconsin in 2002, prompting DNR officials to begin issuing baiting and feeding bans in the areas where a positive test originates. The goal of the bans is to stop deer from gathering in baited areas to cut down on the spread of the contagious disease.

A number of Northwest Wisconsin counties already have baiting and feeding bans in place. Despite the bans, DNR officials reported a strong deer harvest in the region during the nine day gun deer season a few weeks ago. The DNR will also host a public meeting on chronic wasting disease and testing efforts in Chippewa County on February 6th.