Deer culling makes no sense

It’s incredulous that in a state as broke as Illinois, the Department of Natural Resources is utilizing a more intensive, substantial deer culling program than any other state in the country.

This sharpshooter program to kill deer to be tested for chronic wasting disease is being done despite evidence that culling doesn’t work and their own statistics that there is no evidence of significant disease spread.

According to IDNR statistics, out of 6,734 deer tested during 2009-10, only 37 deer were identified to have the disease. That number is actually down since a peak in 2005-06. Yet funds that could be used for productive wildlife programs will be diverted to pay for public relations, sharpshooters, lab testing and processing of dead deer so the venison can be donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

“Based upon the known epidemiology of CWD, eradication is not a realistic disease management objective. Large-scale culling to reduce prevalence of CWD could have more severe effects on deer than CWD,” states Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department. Colorado ended its culling program in 2006 after data collected proved it had no significant effect on the rate of the disease in the wild.

Some experts believe that culling actually exacerbates the spread of the disease since the majority of deer killed are healthy and could have resistance to it. Add to this the fact that IDNR requests use of public lands from agencies that receive grant money from them and you have a questionable situation at the very least.

Illinois residents deserve an investigation into what I believe is a misuse of funds and power by IDNR.

Billita Jacobsen

Carpentersville