11-15-2007, 11:10 PM
North Dakota's Hunter-Harvested Surveillance program in the eastern third of the state is off to a good start, as nearly 500 deer have been sampled for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis.
"The cooperation from hunters has been truly remarkable," said Dr. Erika Butler, wildlife veterinarian for the Game and Fish Department. "This proves how important this issue really is."<br />
Butler said the quota has been reached from deer units in southeastern North Dakota, but more heads are needed from units in the northeast. "We are still seeking deer heads from units 1, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2L," she said. "We need roughly another 300."<br />
Hunters are reminded that those participating in this effort, and whose deer have been sampled, will have their names entered in a drawing for five muzzleloaders and 100 Sagen Saws.<br />
The odds of winning a prize increases with each additional head a hunter has sampled, Butler said. "With one head your chance of winning a prize is approximately one in ten. With two, it is one in five," she said.<br />
Every head sampled must have either the deer tag attached, or a new tag can be attached with the license number, deer hunting unit and date harvested included. Skull caps and antlers can be removed. Fawns will not be tested.<br />
Deer head collection sites are still available at locations in Brocket, KO Bar; Cavalier, Ugly's Tavern; Devils Lake, Game and Fish Department district office; Fordville, Waldo's Bar; Forest River, Tom's Lounge; Grand Forks, Ted's Taxidermy; Hannaford, Remedy Bar; Jamestown, Game and Fish Department district office; Munich, Dave's Joint; Nekoma, Pain Reliever; Rock Lake, Cahill's Pub; Walhalla, North Dakota Forest Service; and Wolford, Corregidor Bar.<br />
Heads are no longer accepted at Mills Fleet Farm in Fargo and Johnnie B's Bar and Grill in Gwinner.
"The cooperation from hunters has been truly remarkable," said Dr. Erika Butler, wildlife veterinarian for the Game and Fish Department. "This proves how important this issue really is."<br />
Butler said the quota has been reached from deer units in southeastern North Dakota, but more heads are needed from units in the northeast. "We are still seeking deer heads from units 1, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2L," she said. "We need roughly another 300."<br />
Hunters are reminded that those participating in this effort, and whose deer have been sampled, will have their names entered in a drawing for five muzzleloaders and 100 Sagen Saws.<br />
The odds of winning a prize increases with each additional head a hunter has sampled, Butler said. "With one head your chance of winning a prize is approximately one in ten. With two, it is one in five," she said.<br />
Every head sampled must have either the deer tag attached, or a new tag can be attached with the license number, deer hunting unit and date harvested included. Skull caps and antlers can be removed. Fawns will not be tested.<br />
Deer head collection sites are still available at locations in Brocket, KO Bar; Cavalier, Ugly's Tavern; Devils Lake, Game and Fish Department district office; Fordville, Waldo's Bar; Forest River, Tom's Lounge; Grand Forks, Ted's Taxidermy; Hannaford, Remedy Bar; Jamestown, Game and Fish Department district office; Munich, Dave's Joint; Nekoma, Pain Reliever; Rock Lake, Cahill's Pub; Walhalla, North Dakota Forest Service; and Wolford, Corregidor Bar.<br />
Heads are no longer accepted at Mills Fleet Farm in Fargo and Johnnie B's Bar and Grill in Gwinner.