Former DNR Board Chair Concerned About Elk, CWD Threat In Jackson County

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources plan to reintroduce another 40 elk to Jackson County amid concerns the herd will be exposed to the fatal chronic wasting disease.

Three surrounding counties have had cases of CWD, including two from last year. During the next four months, the DNR will introduce another 40 elk from Kentucky to the Black River State Forest near Black River Falls.

But former Natural Resources Board Chair Dave Clausen said he’s concerned because deer in three surrounding counties have tested positive the deadly brain disorder CWD. He said it’s likely the elk will be exposed.

“The surprising thing would be if those elk don’t get CWD sometime in the future. I’m not saying it’s going to be now, I’m not saying it’s going to be in five years,” said Clausen.

DNR wildlife health section chief Tami Ryan said they continue to test for CWD in deer and elk. She said they can’t know if elk will get CWD in the future but currently there are few cases in the area.

“So, from that standpoint it’s probably a better location than, say, southern Wisconsin. Also, all these things came into play once things were well under way for the elk reintroduction,” Ryan said.

DNR officials said they continue to sample for CWD in Jackson County and the rest of the state. But online records show testing in Jackson County has dropped off from around 60 deer in 2012 and 2013 to just 10 last year.

According to the DNR, eight elk were killed by vehicles and predators in Jackson County since their reintroduction last August.

Correction: This story originally quoted Dave Clausen as saying: “The surprising thing would be if those elk don’t get CWD sometime in the future. I’m saying it’s going to be now, I’m not saying it’s going to be in five years.”

Clausen actually said: “I’m NOT saying it’s going to be now, I’m not saying it’s going to be in five years.”