The Ohio Wildlife Council passed a rule change Oct. 21 that creates disease surveillance areas to monitor chronic wasting disease (CWD).
The rule permits the Division of Wildlife to establish a disease surveillance area when CWD has been detected. When enacted, this designation will include all areas within a minimum of 6 miles surrounding a location where the disease has been detected, and would remain in effect for a minimum of three years.
Regulations that would apply within any CWD designated surveillance area:
• Required submission of harvested deer carcasses to the Division of Wildlife inspection stations for sampling during the deer gun and muzzleloading seasons;
• Prohibit the placement or use of salt, mineral supplement, grain, fruit, vegetables or other feed to attract or feed deer;
• Prohibit the hunting deer by the aid of salt, mineral supplement, grain, fruit, vegetables or other feed; and
• Prohibit the removal of a deer carcass killed by a motor vehicle, unless the carcass complies with the deer carcass regulations.
Normal agricultural activities, including feeding of domestic animals would not be affected. Hunting deer over food plots, naturally occurring or cultivated plants and agriculture crops would still be allowed.
The next Ohio Wildlife Council meeting will be November 18. It is an eight-member board that approves all ODNR Division of Wildlife proposed rules and regulations.