State Veterinarian Dr. Paul McGraw reported this week a white-tailed deer on an Oneida County hunting preserve has tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, reported the final test results back to the state.
The animal was a 3-year-old buck and was one of about 425 deer in the 570-acre preserve operating as Three Lakes Trophy Ranch LLC. The deer was born on the premises and shot in the preserve.
Samples were taken in accordance with Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s rules, which require testing of farm-raised deer and elk when they die, go to slaughter or are killed. A spokesperson for the Division of Animal Health Raechelle Belli....
"...the business is quarantined, but they are allowed to conduct hunts on the preserve as the animals are only allowed to leave the premis dead anyway so it does not pose a disease risk...."
The sample originally tested positive at a regional laboratory and required another test confirmation. The state investigation will look at the animal’s history and trace movements of deer onto the property. This is the first CWD case in the Northwoods.
