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February 12, 2025

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February 5, 2025

Chronic Wasting Disease: A Call to Action for Hunters and Conservationists  

TRCP’s senior scientist delves into the recent detection of CWD in Georgia and how we all have roles to play in safeguarding wildlife and the traditions we cherish.

I often find myself reflecting on the crucial role hunters play in conservation. With the recent confirmation of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Georgia, now is a pivotal moment to discuss what this means for hunters and the broader scientific community. 

Understanding CWD

Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease affecting cervids like deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. It is caused by prions, infectious proteins that target normal brain proteins and make them fold abnormally. Infected animals shed CWD prions in body fluids, potentially exposing other cervids during social encounters.  CWD prions are highly resilient, persisting in soil and plants for years, and they spread through bodily fluids such as saliva and urine. Since its discovery in Colorado in 1967, CWD has spread to 36 U.S. states, parts of Canada, and even Europe. 

CWD poses no documented risk to humans, but its parallels with other prion diseases, like Mad Cow Disease, have raised concerns about potential cross-species transmission. Current scientific priorities include understanding the different types of the disease, improving testing methods, and expanding efforts to monitor its spread

Why Georgia Matters

The detection of CWD in Georgia marks a significant turning point. This state has a robust hunting tradition and is home to diverse ecosystems that sustain both game species and non-hunting wildlife enthusiasts. The arrival of CWD could alter this balance, affecting hunting culture and wildlife management practices. For hunters, this confirmation should inspire a renewed commitment to vigilance. Testing wild-caught cervids for CWD isn’t just a precaution, it’s an act of stewardship. Hunters are on the front lines, acting as both participants in and protectors of healthy ecosystems

Testing and Vigilance 

Hunters in CWD-affected areas should consider testing their harvested animals, especially when planning to consume the meat. Testing turnaround times vary by state, but they generally range from one to three weeks​. This wait time might seem inconvenient, but it’s a small price to pay for safety and sustainability. 

Here are some steps to make the testing process easier: 

  • Plan Ahead – Check your state’s testing requirements and find the nearest testing location before hunting. 
  • Field Dress with Care – Use gloves and avoid cutting into the spine or brain, where prions are concentrated. 
  • Utilize Resources – Many state wildlife agencies offer drop-off locations and guidance on sample submission. 

By adopting these practices, hunters not only protect their families but also contribute vital data for monitoring CWD’s spread. 

The Broader Impact

From a scientific perspective, Georgia’s confirmation of CWD underscores the need for continued research and collaboration. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy recently emphasized gaps in our understanding of prions and their long-lasting presence in the environment. Working together across different agencies and scientific fields is key to improving testing, monitoring, and decontamination methods.

The fight against CWD requires a united front. Hunters, researchers, and policymakers all have roles to play in safeguarding wildlife and the traditions we cherish. Together, we can ensure that hunting remains a cornerstone of conservation for generations to come. 

Learn more about CWD by clicking HERE

The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

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February 4, 2025

Do Not Disturb: All Winter Recreationists Can Help Conserve Wildlife

The Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative asks Coloradans and visitors to avoid disturbing wildlife during the winter season

At the January 2025 Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting, a new Colorado-grown initiative was recognized with the 2024 Starburst Award by the Colorado Lottery. The TRCP joins in praising and supporting the Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative, which empowers recreationists to enjoy time on wintry public lands while taking simple actions to minimize impacts on wildlife during Colorado’s coldest months.

The WWCI encourages all winter recreationists—from casual dog walkers to backcountry skiers and snowmobilers—to give wildlife space, be aware of seasonal habitat closures, and be prepared to alter plans if they encounter wildlife or wildlife sign when recreating. WWCI’s focus on winter recreation is due to the fact that wildlife are particularly vulnerable to human disturbance while on winter ranges, which are often at lower elevations where they encounter more people, vehicle traffic, rail lines, and human development.

Colorado big game species, including elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, become stressed during winter months due to reduced access to forage and refuge. When tough winter conditions and other disturbances push their body reserves too far, their ability to survive into the following season is reduced, and the chances that females successfully raise their offspring plummet. Human disturbance on winter ranges can also push wildlife onto private lands or into transportation corridors, increasing roadkill and game damage on private lands. Minimizing impacts to big game herds through the winter better prepares them for their seasonal migration to spring and summer grounds.

“TRCP members and the vast majority of Coloradans care deeply about wildlife all year-round, but research in Colorado continues to show how sensitive wildlife are in winter and early spring,” said Liz Rose, Colorado program manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “It takes all of us to ensure that Colorado’s wildlife can survive and thrive. By being cognizant of sensitive habitats; a little more patient and careful when we encounter wildlife; and a little more prepared with a Plan B and C when we encounter wildlife, we can collectively reduce our impacts and still enjoy the best that our snowy months have to offer.”

For more information about the WWCI and how you, your business, or your organization can become involved, please visit winteringwildlife.org or contact info@winteringwildlife.com. A social posting toolkit for individuals, businesses, and organizations interested in spreading awareness on reducing wildlife disruption in the sensitive winter months is available on the website.

Photo credit: Larry Lamsa


The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

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In the Arena: “Rivah Sistah” Patricia Clement

TRCP’s “In the Arena” series highlights the individual voices of hunters and anglers who, as Theodore Roosevelt so famously said, strive valiantly in the worthy cause of conservation.

Patricia Clement

Hometown: Northumberland, Virginia 
Occupation: Outdoor enthusiast and influencer; retired police officer
Conservation credentials: Clement, who goes by the online handle “The Rivah Sistah,” says her mission is a commitment to helping her followers and their families improve their overall health and well-being by engaging in an array of outdoor activities.

Patricia Clement, aka “The Rivah Sistah,” hosts fishing trips and other outdoor events intended to draw more women and anyone who has not previously had the opportunity to experience the outdoors into a “catch and cook” lifestyle. She has a strong Instagram presence and Facebook following where you can find vivid video examples of her outdoor pursuits presented in a fun and educational fashion. Clement partners with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, TakeMeFishing, and Freedom Boat Club and she’s been featured in Chesapeake Bay Magazine, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and local Fox affiliate WFXR.

With passions that include fishing, crabbing, camping, boating, and oystering, she owns her own boat and is becoming increasingly immersed in her river lifestyle. Besides her ample time harvesting on the water, she’s a retired police officer and expert shooter, and a former Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and National Rifle Association firearms instructor.

Here is her story.

Originally being from Brooklyn, N.Y., camping was my gateway to the outdoors. My husband suggested a weekend camping trip in 2017. I loved staying in that cabin and wanted to camp every weekend after that so we purchased a travel trailer.

The first time we went camping with our travel trailer, we went to Cherrystone on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I saw people catching blue crabs so I purchased a trap, caught maybe two crabs, and the rest is history.

If I could hunt or fish anywhere, I’d head to Panama. My father is Panamanian. He wasn’t in my life, and during my childhood I spoke to him only a few times. I met him in person for the first time when I was a teenager. I haven’t spoken to him in over 30 years, but my roots are in Panama and I’d love to fish there. I also hear every angler should fish the Florida Keys.

When I first started fishing, I caught a lot of catfish. I was catching all I could catch and frying it up. I had no idea I was helping the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem because blue catfish were eating everything up and are an aquatic invasive species here. As far as I know, blue catfish are the number one conservation challenge where I live because they’re eating up blue crabs and everything else. I’m glad that my efforts are playing a part in Bay conservation efforts.

One of my goals with regards to conservation is to become a waterwoman, so I can help educate others about sustainable harvest. Also, since I’m recruiting others to explore the outdoors, I need to know what’s going on myself. Conservation matters for me and my children so our waterways can be healthy for their generation and the future.

All images courtesy Patricia Clement

(Note: TRCP worked with Yamaha Rightwaters, YETI, the American Sportfishing Association, Bass Pro Shops, and other partners on an AIS commission to address the need for better prevention and mitigation of aquatic invasive species like blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. See the full Aquatic Invasive Species Commission report here.)

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January 28, 2025

In The Arena: Will Retzer

TRCP’s “In the Arena” series highlights the individual voices of hunters and anglers who, as Theodore Roosevelt so famously said, strive valiantly in the worthy cause of conservation.

Will Retzer

Hometown: Sparks, Nevada
Occupation: Electric Troubleman, NV Energy

Growing up in southern California, Retzer’s family took advantage of the local hunting and fishing opportunities in the mountains near Los Angeles. But once the family moved to Nevada, Retzer’s love for the outdoors exploded. Since then, he’s been able to experience the incredible hunting and fishing of the Silver State and appreciate the conservation efforts that make it possible.

Here is his story.

Retzer on one of his favorite Nevada glassing knobs.

TRCP: How were you introduced to hunting, fishing, and the outdoors? Who introduced you? 

Retzer: When I was growing up in California, my grandfather and dad had me out fishing the Eastern Sierra and Colorado River systems as soon as I could walk. As a young boy, my dad took me along as he hunted coastal blacktail deer in the mountains of southern California outside of Los Angeles. Then we moved to Nevada in 1978, and my love for the outdoors grew exponentially. This included fishing the desert creeks and hunting upland game birds and big game.

TRCP: Tell us about one of your most memorable outdoor adventures. 

Retzer: I have so many, but if I had to narrow it down, my most memorable outdoor adventure would be my wife Elaine’s Nevada Desert Bighorn in 2022. It was on the sixth day of the hunt, all our help had left, and it was just me and her when we finally spotted the ram she wanted to take. After an hour of glassing and planning, we needed to close about 1000 yards. That included crawling 300 yards on our hands and knees up a mountain across from the bedded ram. She made an awesome shot, and he never moved from his bed. 

Tied for my most memorable adventure would be my son Beau’s 2024 elk hunt. I had the same tag 12 years prior and was so excited to experience this premiere muzzleloader tag in Nevada with my son. By no means are we the perfect hunters but this was the perfect Nevada rut hunt. On the second day, we spotted a good bull and made a plan. Beau was able to get into position below the bull and I came in several hundred yards behind and made a few cow calls. The bull bugled and headed straight toward Beau but hung up about 60 yards out. I gave three more cow calls, and the bull bugled again, thrashed a tree, and came within 40 yards to where Beau was able to make a clean shot. Watching this from 400 yards out was an experience as a dad I will never forget. 

Don’t get me wrong, I always look forward to the day that tags are released, and I always want to see my name on one of them.  However, when my wife, daughter, son, or friends get the tag, I’m just as excited (maybe more). I find it more rewarding helping and supporting than I do when I get my own tag. The chance to be out and experiencing Nevada and what it has to offer just blows me away every time!

Will and his wife, Elaine, celebrate her ram.

TRCP: If you could hunt or fish anywhere, where would it be and why?

Retzer: The state of Nevada because we offer world-class hunting opportunities with many species of western big game. The opportunities here are due to the incredible efforts of the Nevada Department of Wildlife and wildlife support groups such as the Nevada Chukar Foundation and Nevada Bighorns Unlimited and their Midas and Elko chapters that fundraise for wildlife conservation.

TRCP: Why is it important to you to be involved in conservation? What are the major conservation challenges where you live?

Retzer: I want to make sure that this generation, and future generations, have the same opportunities to enjoy hunting, fishing, and an outdoor lifestyle like I have for the past 56 years. Drout, wildfires, new growth encroaching on wildlife habitat, wild horses, as well as predator management make up the biggest conservation challenges in Nevada.

TRCP: Why should conservation matter to the next generation of hunters and anglers?

Retzer: Through conservation efforts, Nevada is home to the largest population of wild sheep in the Lower 48. We also recently reissued moose and bear tags. These are just a few examples of the importance of how conservation today can make a huge difference in the future. I was taught by my dad and grandpa to leave our camp better than we found it and have passed that on to my children as well.

Photo credits: Will Retzer


The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

TRCP has partnered with Afuera Coffee Co. to further our commitment to conservation. $4 from each bag is donated to the TRCP, to help continue our efforts of safeguarding critical habitats, productive hunting grounds, and favorite fishing holes for future generations.

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