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Rep. Albert testifies on plan to fight chronic wasting disease threat to wildlife, outdoor sporting
RELEASE|December 3, 2020

State Rep. Thomas Albert, of Lowell, today testified before the House Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Committee on his plan to better protect Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor sportsmanship from the threat of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

House Bill 6316 would direct a portion of deer license fees to research, education, and elimination of the disease, as well as require the Department of Natural Resources to have at least one check station or drop station in any county within a CWD zone  for the entire deer season.

“This year there was a drastic cut to CWD testing availability, which is problematic because hunters want the peace of mind that the deer they harvest is CWD free before feeding it to their families,” Albert said. “It’s also a problem because reducing testing means we will have substantially limited data on the disease and its prevalence rates moving forward for management. For instance, in the areas of Montcalm, Kent and Ionia counties, which are arguably ground zero cases in Michigan, testing is provided only four days during the entire hunting season. That’s ridiculous.

“Up until this year, in my opinion, the DNR did a good job at making testing available and easy, so why in the world should we decrease testing now, especially when cases are still on the rise?”

Albert said if funding is the driving force behind the reduction in testing availability, his plan would help create an option for hunters to pay for their own tests. They would pay no more than a $5 fee for a CWD testing tag, which would be printed off at any location where licenses are purchased. 

Albert said in addition to creating more testing opportunities, it’s important there are not antler point restrictions for hunting deer in CWD zones.

“I understand that there are hunters on both sides of the fence who are passionate about antler point restrictions,” Albert said.  “The scientific evidence is overwhelming on this issue; older male deer have a drastically increased prevalence of CWD.  There are many good reasons to promote the growth of mature trophy deer, but doing so in an area that has CWD is negligent and will clearly create an environment which could decimate our local deer herds.

“Both the DNR and Natural Resource Commission have publicly admitted this study will not be able to detect the spread of CWD in regions with APRs,” Albert continued. “It is mindboggling why a study is being conducted that will both decimate the deer population while not yielding any reliable conclusions.”

HB 6316 remains in the Natural Resources committee for further review.

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