Hunters asked to submit deer samples to help combat wasting disease
The Government of Ontario is asking hunters to submit deer samples as part of its chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance program to allow for early detection of the disease.
"Hunter samples from harvested deer are critical in Ontario's efforts to detect CWD, a fatal, untreatable brain disease that affects members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, elk, moose and caribou," the province said in a news release.
"It has not been found in Ontario but has been detected in all five U.S. states bordering Ontario, as well as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Québec, so it’s important we remain vigilant and take action to monitor for CWD."
The surveillance is targeted to three regions of the province, mainly in the southern and eastern areas, between October and December.
"During the fall hunt, wildlife research technicians will be canvassing the surveillance areas and asking hunters’ permission to remove a small amount of tissue from the deer head for analysis," the province said.
"Sampling will not prevent hunters from consuming the meat or having the head mounted."
In addition, hunters can take the heads of harvested deer to special freezer depots. There is one in northern Ontario -- Brushey’s in Powassan. The other sites are listed here.
"Hunters submitting a deer head are asked to provide their contact information, the date and general location of harvest," the release said.
"Fawns under one year of age will not be tested as this disease is unlikely to be detected in young animals."
Hunters that see a deer, elk or moose showing signs of CWD, such as severe loss of body weight, tremors, stumbling, or lack of coordination, are asked to report it to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781 or Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-667-1940.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.