The Game Commission in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) is conducting a project in Blair and Bedford counties to reduce the impact of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
CWD is a threat to Pennsylvania’s deer and elk populations. Deer and elk infected with CWD have lower survival rates, and this can lead to fewer deer and elk and fewer hunting opportunities. Unfortunately, CWD continues to increase in Bedford and Blair counties.
The reduction is being implemented to minimize the impact of CWD on the deer population in this specific area. The decision to reduce deer numbers is based on experiences in other states where reducing deer numbers has reduced the effect of CWD.
During the past deer hunting seasons, the Game Commission provided hunters the first opportunity to harvest more deer by increasing antlerless licenses and Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits in northern Bedford and southern Blair counties.
Currently, Game Commission staff members are surveying post-hunting season deer population numbers in the area. The estimate will be hen compared to the population objective of 2,000 to 2,500 deer. Targeted removal, conducted by USDA-WS professionals, will be used to reduce the deer numbers to this objective.
Removals will only occur on lands with landowner permission, and will be completed this winter and early spring.
In addition to conducting population surveys, Game Commission staff are capturing and marking deer as part of this project. Captured deer will be marked with ear tags and radio collars, and then released. The radio collars will provide movement and survival data. Captured and collared deer will not be killed as part of the targeted removal.