Millions in CWD Funding Intended for States Is Going to Captive Deer Operators

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August 13, 2020

Help us push back and demand transparency—not to mention results for wild deer—from decision-makers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Here’s an important topic to bring up at deer camp this year: Hunters were handed a win when Congress recently set aside funding to address the rampant spread of chronic wasting disease—that other epidemic that sportsmen and women know well by now. But the agency tasked with distributing the funds to state agencies has already carved out nearly a third of the total pot for the captive deer industry.

The TRCP is pushing back on this questionable use of funds and other moves that will undermine results for our wild deer. And we need your help.

Millions Misspent?

For years, sportsmen and women have called on lawmakers to take meaningful federal action to control CWD among our wild deer, elk, and moose populations. In 2020, Congress responded by appropriating $5 million to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to send directly to state wildlife and agricultural departments tasked with responding to the disease.

Instead, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is funneling $1.5 million of that funding to individual captive deer operations that have had to eliminate CWD-positive animals. These indemnification payments aid businesses that have unfortunately already been part of the CWD problem and don’t address the continued strain placed on state agencies scrambling to manage the spread of the disease.

APHIS has made it clear that they place a higher value on the $4-billion captive deer industry than on hunters who generate $40 billion each year and contribute to conservation.

In a recent stakeholder meeting to determine how CWD funds would be spent, the captive side outnumbered sportsmen’s groups two to one. (We know this because TRCP was invited to contribute, along with the Boone & Crockett Club, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Deer Alliance, and the Wildlife Management Institute.) As a result, the conversations and resulting recommendations repeatedly skewed away from our priorities.

It gets worse: The service’s voluntary Herd Certification Program, which certifies that these businesses adhere to best practices for preventing disease transmission, does not effectively guarantee that a herd is CWD-free. Despite this, APHIS continues to allow the movement of captive herds across state lines, facilitating further spread of the disease.

What You Can Do

As sportsmen and women, we refuse to be undervalued or ignored. But based on what we’ve seen in this decision-making process, we need to be twice as loud to get the attention of APHIS, or else congressional funding for CWD will make no measurable impact for our wild deer herds.

For APHIS to do right by hunters and wild deer, we need to see the agency do the following:

Spend appropriated funds in a way that effectively addresses the spread of CWD in captive and wild cervid populations.
Listen to hunter voices, address our priorities, and be transparent about decision-making.
Update the Herd Certification Program to prevent the transmission of CWD across state lines and hold captive deer operators accountable.
Improve coordination with other state and federal partners working to contain the disease.

The TRCP is also pushing for a congressional review of APHIS’s appropriation spending, but in the meantime we need your help to demand the above changes.

Support the future of deer hunting and push back against misuse of CWD response funding by signing our open letter to the USDA.

TAKE ACTION >

23 Responses to “Millions in CWD Funding Intended for States Is Going to Captive Deer Operators”

GARY WARD August 14, 2020

Another Chronic mis-use of Intended funding. No surprise here.
Keep doing your best; and thanks.

August 14, 2020 at 5:09 pm

Reply
SHERYL Dengler August 14, 2020

Leave funds that have been designated for assignment alone this is not for personal use designations!

August 14, 2020 at 5:09 pm

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Roy Ferguson August 14, 2020

Totally Wrong !

August 14, 2020 at 5:23 pm

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Hugh Carola August 14, 2020

Sadly, I’m not surprised. No surprised at all.

August 14, 2020 at 5:26 pm

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Earl Rine Sr. August 14, 2020

Stop spending the money we fought so hard for CWD on anything else but that peroid!!!!!!!! This has to be beat all the way.

August 14, 2020 at 5:30 pm

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- Lou Romito August 14, 2020
  
  Per the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the APHIS is tasked to protect and promote U.S. agricultural health, regulate genetically engineered organisms, administer the Animal Welfare Act, and manage wildlife damage. I don’t see in that mission statement the requirement to reimburse poorly-managed-deer-factory lobbyists to continue their selfish, short-sighted, profit-motivated assault on America’s deer population.
  
  August 14, 2020 at 7:33 pm
  
  Reply
James Tate August 14, 2020

This action is typical of USDA when dealing with invasive species, predators and wildlife diseases. It is partly related to USDA success in obtaining and preventing others from receiving any funding for ‘Weed Control.’ In their designated role, USDA regularly ignores the clear wording of Executive Order 13112 “…prevent and control…ecological impacts….” in favor of economic impact. This egregious example is nothing new.
James Tate, PhD, CWB
Science Advisor, US Department of Interior, ret.

August 14, 2020 at 6:30 pm

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Jodie Shafer August 14, 2020

Here’s an idea–since captive deer farms started this mess and is helping to perpetuate the problem ever since–use that 1/3 of the pot to pass laws to OUTLAW DEER FARMS AND THEN ENFORCE THAT LAW!

August 14, 2020 at 7:38 pm

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- Daniel Tibbens Jr August 15, 2020
  
  Well said!
  
  August 15, 2020 at 7:13 am
  
  Reply
Tom August 14, 2020

Institute an annual $10/deer herd health fee for all captive cervid farms to be used to 1) pay for depopulation, and 2) biosecurity measures for high risk facilities.

August 14, 2020 at 7:56 pm

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Dave Colavito August 14, 2020

It comes as no surprise, as for years, USDA APHIS has been the gorilla in the room on these issues. So long as states afford dual classifications to deer species, i.e., “publicly owned wildlife” and “privately owned livestock”, I don’t see how things resolve, let alone our way.

August 14, 2020 at 8:55 pm

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Juan Ramirez August 15, 2020

What BS as usual a Political move ” the Good ole boys ” get their hand in the pot ! Those deer farms make alot of money raising them deer ! Make them responsible an accountable and transparent ! Goesthe same for USDA !

August 15, 2020 at 2:51 am

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Leonard Mulford August 15, 2020

This is a prime example of the class system in full effect ,have the masses pay for the elite. When these Corporate and Private Companies Open to the public or are actually affected by Covid they should Not receive public funding. They don’t deserve it and they should have to pay for a problem they created.

August 15, 2020 at 7:25 am

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Nathan Rohne August 15, 2020

There action is the equivalent of rewarding the perpetrator,must stop.

August 15, 2020 at 10:35 am

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Erin August 15, 2020

At some point, sportsmen and sportswomen’s group are going to have to come out hard against the captive animals industry and take a strong stance that it violates the North American Model and does not belong in our hunting and conservation community. Those who oppose them, quietly ignore them. Those that support them continue to push hunting towards an elitist sport an allow for them to not be held accountable for their actions. The captive deer industry has been a known vector of transfer of CWD for decades and the worst to work with. They should be held accountable and cease to be an industry.

August 15, 2020 at 11:38 am

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Jon Andrew August 15, 2020

CWD is a terrible threat to deer hunting and this is the response. Time for a change at the top – hope everyone votes in November.

August 15, 2020 at 1:07 pm

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Walter Teague August 21, 2020

CWD? For those new to this subject, why don’t you define what it stands for at least once at the top of the article?

August 21, 2020 at 8:46 am

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Brant Akin August 21, 2020

Here’s an idea–since captive deer farms started this mess and is helping to perpetuate the problem ever since–use that 1/3 of the pot to pass laws to OUTLAW DEER FARMS AND THEN ENFORCE THAT LAW!

August 21, 2020 at 4:05 pm

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Brady Baum September 4, 2020

Another investigation. Bs. Good old boys lining their pockets. Never thought it could come to this

September 4, 2020 at 7:24 pm

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Jerry Foster September 6, 2020

In Missouri, the Department of Conservation blamed the CWD outbreak on captive cervid farms but failed to mention that wild deer were not being tested so naturally the farms looked bad. When MDC finally did start testing the incidence of CWD was more widespread than the Department had previously theorized. And it was present in areas where no captive cervid farms existed..

In recent years MDC has imposed regulations only to see the disease spread further. That is consistent with other problems such as feral hogs. Assign it to the Department of Conservation and the problem will grow. I suspect other states have seen similar results.

Consequently, I think there is considerable justification for involving the private community. Individually, they have more at stake than government agency personnel.

September 6, 2020 at 8:53 pm

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James E. Miller September 11, 2020

APHIS Leadership in USDA continues to be from Veterinarian’s who support the captive cervid industry and it is absolutely ludicrous to pay indemnification to these captive operations who are a significant reason for the spread of CWD through the sale and movement, (both intra- and inter-state) of live cervids from one farm to another with no reliable live animal test available. Is it a mystery that such infectious diseases have been spread from state to state and now with 26 states having confirmed CWD positive animals. DUH??? Not only are these so-called farms also selling deer, ova, semen straws, urine, and velvet, but their animal husbandry practices are not only cruel, but harmful to the welfare of these animals. The primary reason APHIS Leadership continues to support these captive cervid operations is because a good number of veterinarians across the deer farming states make serious money providing vet services to these operations. The APHIS Leadership has no consideration whatsoever, for the impact of CWD or other infectious diseases on public trust wildlife resources. Sad, but true.

September 11, 2020 at 7:11 pm

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William Gappmayer September 13, 2020

Congress is made up of people. Are you going to name names or just beat around the bush?

September 13, 2020 at 7:44 am

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Dennis September 13, 2020

The synthetic deer farms should be classified in a separate tax category whereby those taxes fund synthetic CWD research and study.

I like my deer and women natural !

September 13, 2020 at 10:11 am

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by: Kristyn Brady

posted in: Outdoor Economy

August 7, 2020

Decision on Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones in Mississippi Shows Power of Hunting Community

Sportsmen and women were a crucial part of defeating an uninformed effort to weaken disease response

In a complete reversal, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Commission recently voted to table discussion of altering the state’s chronic wasting disease management zones, focus areas where wildlife officials are responding to the rapid spread of this fatal disease in wild deer.

Even if you never plan to hunt in Mississippi, this is a win for you and all deer hunters. Here’s why: In May 2020, the Commission had already decided to proceed with changes that could have undermined the battle against CWD transmission. But the outcry from the hunting community—in state and across the country—made them reexamine the move and hold another vote.

The TRCP joined more than a dozen organizations representing millions of hunters, conservationists, and wildlife professionals in urging these decision-makers to follow national best practices and maintain the current structure of the state’s CWD Management Zones. Supplemental feeding of wild deer is banned in these areas, where CWD-positive animals have been identified, to prevent concentrating groups of deer that could then transmit the disease far and wide.

Thousands of individual sportsmen and women also commented on the Commission’s move to shrink these zones and change management tactics—which have been recommended by MDWFP biologists and follow the guidance of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies—within.

Advancing chronic wasting disease solutions will take prolonged effort, and some battles—for increased investments, better science, and more coordination—began years ago. It’s encouraging to see at least one example of our voices making a tangible difference in a matter of months.

The lesson: Keep taking action and speaking out for fish, wildlife, and habitat. Decision-makers are listening.

by: Marnee Banks

posted in: Outdoor Economy

July 9, 2020

Preliminary Data Shows How Much Outdoor Recreation Economy Has Been Affected by COVID-19

As part of any economic recovery effort, Congress must invest in conservation that puts Americans back to work

On our social media channels, we’ve shared plenty of news stories that highlight the enthusiastic use of public lands and even an uptick in fishing participation during this pandemic. But, of course, it’s not all good news.

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable recently released results from a national survey of its members, and the findings make a compelling case for why lawmakers need to invest in conservation to put Americans back to work.

According to respondents from 20 national outdoor recreation trade associations representing businesses with nearly 2 million employees, 89 percent of businesses are experiencing difficulty with production and distribution. A troubling 79 percent of these businesses have laid off or furloughed a portion of their workforce. And 89 percent of these businesses are experiencing a decrease in sales.

And the outdoor sector isn’t the only one feeling the pinch. The leisure and hospitality industry has been hammered the hardest, with a loss of 7 million jobs between March and May. More than 2 million engineers and temporary workers in construction and professional services were sent home since COVID hit.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is posting monthly updates on these numbers, and even with new gains in June, these statistics are deeply concerning as businesses struggle to stay afloat and families grapple with how to pay their bills. That’s why we are calling on Congress to pass economic recovery legislation that invests in shovel-ready conservation projects and modern-day conservation jobs that put our economy back on track AND improve habitat for fish and wildlife.

These jobs will help to paint a brighter economic picture than what we are seeing today. Imagine people in hardhats building highway crossings for wildlife, engineers and technical experts designing resilient and efficient water systems for the Colorado River and Mississippi River Basins, loggers helping to actively manage our forests, and heavy equipment operators preparing the ground for wetland restoration.

When Congress pivots to drafting economic recovery legislation, we want to put Americans back to work restoring our wetlands and forests, improving our coasts and waterways, and rebuilding the crumbling pieces of our outdoor recreation infrastructure.

As hunters and anglers, we need these investments in conservation so we can continue to enjoy our outdoor activities. As Americans, we need these investments because we need to put our nation back to work.

Help us show that sportsmen and women are ready to help Congress take the next step. Take action and tell lawmakers that Conservation Works for America.

by: Cory Deal

posted in: Outdoor Economy

June 22, 2020

Podcast: Whit Fosburgh Joins The Big Wild to Discuss the Great American Outdoors Act

TRCP’s president and CEO Whit Fosburgh appeared on The Big Wild podcast to discuss the Great American Outdoors Act.

by: Guest Author Debbie Hanson

posted in: Outdoor Economy

Five Things Your Fishing License Does for Conservation While You Catch Fish

These are your license dollars at work for fish habitat, water quality, and the next generation of anglers

When you buy or renew your fishing license, you’re probably only thinking about the possibility of the new season or a great day on the water. But are you aware of just how hard your license dollars are working on behalf of fish habitat and fishing access?

Here are five examples of how the a portion of the dollars spent on your fishing licenses, boat registrations, fishing gear, and boat fuel purchases go back to conservation and public access. You might be surprised—as much as $1.1 billion annually creates a sizeable down payment on the future of fishing in America.

Improving Fishing and Boating Access

First, funds from license sales go toward fishing and boating access projects. One example is the Ramps & Pier Program in Mississippi, which helps pay for repairs to existing access points and the construction of four to six new boat ramps each year. The state of Oregon also has an excellent model of involving state and federal agencies in adding and upgrading new boating facilities.

Enhancing Water Quality

Boat registration funds help implement clean water projects that benefit fish habitat and improve the experience of anglers and boaters. The Clean Vessel Act program in Hawaii, for example, helped use these funds to construct a new sewage pump-out station and three new floating restrooms at the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor—all in an effort to protect the sparkling turquoise waters of Hawaii for future generations.

Maintaining Fish Habitat

The excise taxes on your fishing gear go toward fisheries maintenance projects that help manage our state sport fisheries. For example, in New York State, biologists collect data through creel surveys and work to restore fish habitat for native brookies, American shad, river herring, and striped bass largely thanks to the taxes paid by the manufacturers of your fishing rods, reels, lures, baits, and flies. In Massachusetts, these funds are used to map fish habitat with GPS technology, sonar, and underwater vehicles through the state’s Fisheries Habitat Program. The more these experts learn, the better prepared they are to spot habitat issues and plan for improvements.

Salmon migrating upstream in the Bonneville Dam fish ladder. Photo by Tony Grover.

Teaching and Recruiting New Anglers

Fishing license funds also go to work for educational and recruitment programs that introduce new anglers to the sport. As more people take up fishing, there is a greater need for education on topics like species identification, conservation, regulations, and proper catch-and-release techniques. The state of Texas offers free workshops for first-timers or anyone who wants a refresher on the basics, and the saltwater angler education programs hosted by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries have been so successful that they hope to extend courses to all coastal areas of the state.

Planning for Long-Term Conservation

With an eye toward investing in our marine and freshwater resources, as well as the next generation of anglers, fishing license fees support long-term conservation plans for our rivers and streams. This robust funding, which has nothing to do with the federal balance sheet, is critical to ensuring an adequate quantity and quality of water to maintain the natural balance of aquatic ecosystems. Texas has used this money to fund its River Studies Program that addresses long-term water development, water planning, and water quality issues.

Photo courtesy of Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters.

Whether state agencies are studying rainbow trout populations or repairing boat ramps, your license fees are put to excellent use. Want to get started on your next fishing trip and give back to conservation? Buy or renew your license here.

Sportsmen and women have a long history of giving back to conservation through our purchases. Read about the federal program responsible for that funding model and the hunters in one Western state who supported raising license fees to do even more for fish and wildlife.

TakeMeFishing.org contributor Debbie Hanson is an outdoor writer and avid angler who has written articles on fishing and boating for publications such as USA Today Hunt & Fish and Game & Fish Magazine. She is a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. Read her blogs at takemefishing.org/blog and visit her personal blog at shefishes2.com.

Photos courtesy of Canstock Photo. This blog was originally posted August 14, 2017 and has been updated.

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