NYS has banned the importation of deer and elk as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of CWD.
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers and State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty recently announced regulations to prohibit the importation of deer and elk into NYS to prevent CWD from getting into wild and farmed herds of animals in the deer family in the State. The regulations take effect immediately.

"By banning the import of deer and elk into the State, we can reduce the risk of the chronic wasting disease entering New York and help to prevent our abundant wild deer herds from being exposed to this deadly disease," DEC Commissioner Crotty said. "New York has a large and healthy deer population that is vital to our environment and economy, and we will continue to work closely with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets and federal agencies to develop effective strategies to halt the spread of this disease and protect wildlife."

NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Rudgers said, "New York is home to a growing number of deer and elk farms, as well as a robust wild deer population. This ban on the movement and importation of deer and elk is an essential disease control measure that will help prevent the introduction of chronic wasting disease into New York State."

Both the NYSDEC and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets have responsibilities for protecting captive deer herds in New York State. The State Department of Agriculture and Markets monitors the health and movement of all captive deer for the presence of common livestock diseases. The DEC issues licenses to individuals who possess, import or sell white-tailed deer. The two agencies are adopting separate, but coordinated, regulations in an effort to provide comprehensive protection against the introduction of chronic wasting disease into NYS.

There are more than 400 entities in the State raising nearly 10,000 deer and elk in captivity. Many of these entities routinely import captive-bred deer and elk from other states. Together, the importation bans apply to all members of the cervidae family, including four species of North American deer: the white-tailed deer, mule deer, including the black-tailed subspecies; elk, including European red deer; and moose. In addition, two species of exotic deer -- the fallow deer and sika deer -- are included in the bans.

Chronic wasting disease has been diagnosed in captive elk or deer herds in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It has been confirmed in wild deer herds in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Wisconsin. There are no known cases of the disease in New York State.

As a relatively new disease, chronic wasting disease is not fully understood at this point. The disease is typified by chronic weight loss and is always fatal. The origin of the disease is unknown, but it is transmittable between animals. To date, chronic wasting disease has been found only in members of the deer family in North America. There is no evidence that the disease is linked to disease in humans or domestic livestock other than deer and elk.

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has declared chronic wasting disease to be an emergency that threatens the livestock industry of the United States and authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a chronic wasting disease eradication program. The DEC and the State Department of Agriculture and Markets are working on a chronic wasting disease monitoring system for New York and developing strategies for long-term management of the problem, including reviewing efforts of other states. The Department of Agriculture and Markets also is soliciting input from interests potentially affected by the disease such as deer farmers, zoos, conservationists and farming communities.

For additional information on chronic wasting disease or the regulatory ban on importation of deer and elk, contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets at 1-800-554-4501 or visit the Department's website at www.agmkt.state.ny.us.

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Folks from the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) are forming a new local Chapter that will be based in the Walden (Orange County) and the Wallkill area (Ulster County). They will be known as the “Shawangunk Ridge Longbeards.” For those of us who enjoy observing, hunting and just knowing that this magnificent wild bird has returned in the numbers that we have today is a tribute to the years of hard work by the folks from the NWTF and conservation departments around the country. And for those folks who haven’t observed a wild turkey up close, the male or “Tom” is the one that has the long “beard” on his chest. Hence the name “Shawangunk Ridge Longbeards.” Occasionally a female or “hen” turkey normally doesn't have a beard but every once in awhile she will grow a beard similar to a “tom” but perhaps not as full.

The Spring Turkey Hunting Season has been underway since May 1st and will end on May 31st. Hunting is allowed only for the first half of the day and must stop at noon. Only bearded turkeys are allowed to be taken by the hunter during the spring hunt.

The local chapter of the NWTF will be holding their Super Fund Dinner on May 31st, 6 PM, at the Wallkill Fire House in Wallkill, NY (Ulster County). They will have raffles and conduct both live and silent auctions and there will be door prizes, 5 firearms, sculptures, framed prints, hunting supplies, jewelry, etc. The price of a ticket is $35.00. This includes the dinner, beverages and a one year membership with the NWTF.

Call or email Joseph Locicero (President) 845-778-9096, email cloicero@hvc.rr.com or Paul Vegliando, 845-895-2235, email Thevegs544@aol.com for tickets and more information. And yes it will be a Turkey Dinner.

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The Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition (SPARC) will be conducting a “Bike the Buffer” Fund Raiser that will also benefit Habitat for Humanity and the “Washingtonville 5 WTC Firefighters Memorial.” The event will take place on the Stewart Buffer aka the Stewart State Forest on June 9, 2002.

If pre-registered by June 1st the donation for adults is $20.00 and for children under 14 -- $10.00.