AGFC expands CWD zone, open workshops planned

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold two meetings in September to familiarize hunters with new regulations for the upcoming deer hunting season.

According to a Thursday news release, the meetings will inform hunters about chronic wasting disease regulations in Cleburne, Craighead, Mississippi and Sharp counties. All of those counties were added to the AGFC CWD Management Zone Level 2 earlier this year.

Craighead County was the only county added to the CWD management zone where a positive CWD case was found. However, new positive cases near the borders of the other three counties required the expansion of CWD regulations in those counties as well.

Two open meetings will be held:

ASU Cooper Alumni Center (2600 Alumni Blvd., Jonesboro, AR) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., September 17.
Heber Springs Community Center (201 Bobbie Jean Lane, Heber Springs, AR) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., September 12.

Both meetings will begin with an introduction and a short presentation about chronic wasting disease, how it is transmitted and how hunters can help slow its spread.

After the presentation, hunters will be encouraged to stay and meet with biologists and staff from AGFC’s Law Enforcement, Wildlife Management, Private Land Habitat and Education divisions. These talks will cover topics ranging from regulations to the Deer Management Assistance Program, conservation education and other AGFC research projects.

AGFC Research Department staff will also be available to show hunters how to test their deer for chronic wasting disease at no cost, using a network of testing sites and taxidermists throughout the state.

“We’re really looking forward to these opportunities to talk to hunters and landowners to help get the fall season underway,” said Dr. Jenn Ballard, state wildlife veterinarian for the AGFC. “We want to make sure we answer all of their questions about chronic wasting disease, but we’ll also have staff on hand to talk about the new seasons and our expanded deer management assistance program. Hunters are so important to our state. We really can’t manage our deer population or challenges like chronic wasting disease without them.”

Visit www.agfc.com/cwd for more information about chronic wasting disease and the AGFC network of CWD testing sites.

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