December 15, 2022
Province Advises Of Additional Actions to Help Prevent Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development is advising of additional management actions to help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
CWD is a highly contagious, incurable and fatal disease that affects members of the deer family (cervids) including mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose and caribou. Animals infected with CWD may appear healthy until the later stages of the disease. Though CWD is not known as a human health risk, meat from a CWD-infected animal is not recommended for consumption.
First detected in November 2021, the Manitoba government has implemented significant new measures and resources to assess the disease’s prevalence in the province and contain its spread. Because of these activities, seven cases of CWD have been confirmed near the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border over the last year. All confirmed cases occurred in mule deer.
These findings indicate additional disease surveillance efforts are required within the mule deer population to prevent further spread of CWD. Strictly managed mule deer hunting opportunities were part of these efforts in 2022 and resulted in the detection of CWD cases.
To further support CWD prevention, the Manitoba government is establishing a winter mule deer hunting season from Dec. 19 to Feb. 5, 2023, in the same game hunting areas as the fall season. These areas will include game hunting areas (GHA) 5, 6, 6A, 11, 12, 13, 13A, 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 22, 23, 23A, 27, 28, 29, 29A, 30, 31, 31A, 32, 33, 35 and 35A.
Residents can purchase up to three mule deer licences per year. Any unused mule deer licences purchased for the fall 2022 hunting season can be used during the upcoming winter hunting season. For more information, visit https://gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/pubs/fish_wildlife/huntingguide.pdf.
The mandatory sample submission area remains in effect. Hunters will be notified immediately if animals test positive for CWD. Sample results from harvested animals are also posted on https://www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/wildlife/cwd-results/cwd-results.html.
Hunters active in areas where CWD is a concern should practise safe carcass handling protocols and refrain from consuming any animal that has tested positive for CWD.
Hunters with questions or concerns about an animal that has been harvested can email CWD@gov.mb.ca or call 1-204-638-4570.
For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/cwd.
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