WKSU News: Ohio enlists hunters in Wayne and Holmes counties to track Chronic Wasting Disease

Monday, November 30, 2015 Ohio enlists hunters in Wayne and Holmes counties to track Chronic Wasting Disease The state is monitoring a 6-mile radius in Holmes and Wayne counties for the illness by WKSU's MICHAEL BRATTON	Reporter Michael Bratton

The monitoring area includes: Franklin and Clinton townships in Wayne County, and Ripley, Prairie, Salt Creek, Monroe, Hardy, Berlin, Killbuck and Mechanic townships, and northeast Richland Township in Holmes County.

Courtesy of Larry Smith, Flickr

Today marks the beginning of gun season for hunting deer in Ohio.

With the new season, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has placed portions of Holmes and Wayne counties under surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease, a fatal neurological illness that has affected herds across the U.S.

Ohio’s concerns come after 19 captive deer tested positive for the disease in Holmes County last year. Testing of wild deer, however, have come back negative for the illness.

ODNR spokeswoman Jamey Emmert says hunters in the two counties will have to follow additional rules this season.

LISTEN: Emmert on the rules for Holmes and Wayne counties

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“Hunters who do harvest deer in our 6-mile radius where we’re monitoring are required to come to two different inspection stations of their choice and we will take a tissue sample," said Emmert. "We have to sample the brain tissue, which is why it has to come from a deceased animal. We can’t test live animals. So that’s why we need so much help from hunters.”

In addition to carcass inspections, hunters in Holmes and Wayne counties are prohibited from placing salt and feed to attract deer within the 6-mile radius. The surveillance will remain in effect for at least three years.