Iowa’s deer population remains safe from a devastating neurological disease that’s been found in neighboring states. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports tissue samples were recently collected from more than 4,700 deer and elk to test for chronic wasting disease (CWD). Tom Litchfield is the state deer biologist with the D.N.R.
“No chronic wasting disease was detected in any of the samples. So, we’re at 38,000 samples from wild deer that we’ve tested since 2003 — none of which has been found to contain any signs of chronic wasting disease,” Litchfield said. CWD is always fatal to deer and would have major impact on the state’s economy if it shows up in Iowa.
“This disease, when it has come into other states or Canadian provinces, it winds up costing many millions of dollars to track and try to control it,” Litchfield said. The D.N.R. has been trying to trim Iowa’s deer population, but Litchfield says CWD would kill too many deer and probably lead to fewer deer hunters.
“From tax revenue alone associated with deer hunting…it’s multi-millions in taxes that come to state and federal revenue. So, it’s a big deal and something we need to keep on top of,” Litchfield said.