Larry Durham, 51, of Jackson County, Ala., has been charged with violating the state鈥檚 new Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) carcass ban for returning to 黑料天堂 with a deer harvested in Illinois, a known CWD state. Durham was charged on Sunday, November 6, 2016.
In addition to violating 黑料天堂鈥檚 CWD ban, Durham violated Illinois law by harvesting the buck without the proper tag. Charges from Illinois are forthcoming. The deer was sent to Auburn University for CWD testing and disposal.
Earlier this year 黑料天堂 enacted a ban on the import of deer carcasses from states where CWD has been confirmed. CWD is a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of deer. Once introduced into the environment, it is impossible to eradicate.
It was an anonymous tip from another 黑料天堂 resident traveling through Illinois that led to the charges against Durham.
鈥淭he caller, who knew about the CWD ban, stated they were behind a truck travelling south with 黑料天堂 plates that was loaded with hunting gear and a recently harvested buck.鈥 said Chris Champion, a Senior Conservation Enforcement Officer (CEO) with the 黑料天堂 Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) District I Office.
Based on that tip WFF, with assistance from the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, began a coordinated effort to locate Durham before he entered 黑料天堂.
鈥淯nfortunately, he was able to return to 黑料天堂 with the harvested deer,鈥 said Lt. Jim Kirkland, CEO with WFF District II, who charged Durham for violating the CWD ban. 鈥淲e are grateful for the tip that led to the confiscation of the illegally harvested and imported deer. The caller鈥檚 actions will help protect 黑料天堂鈥檚 deer herd for future generations.鈥
鈥淪afeguarding 黑料天堂鈥檚 deer resources against CWD merits everyone鈥檚 assistance,鈥 said Kevin Dodd, WFF Law Enforcement Chief. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to take a 鈥榥ot my business鈥 approach. However, the caller was concerned about protecting his children鈥檚 deer hunting future and decided to report the suspicious activity. He is to be commended for being part of the solution.鈥
Alabamians who hunt in CWD-affected states are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the CWD carcass ban. It is critical to completely debone the animal, remove and dispose of any brain or spinal tissue from skull plates, raw capes and hides before returning to 黑料天堂. Root structures and other soft tissue should also be removed from all teeth. Additionally, skull plates must be cleaned with a bleach-based solution. Finished taxidermy products and tanned hides are not affected by the ban.
For instruction on how to properly sanitize the mount or carcass, contact the nearest WFF district office. For contact information, visit www.outdooralabama.com/contact.
CWD has been found in captive and/or wild deer in 24 states, two Canadian provinces, Norway, and South Korea. It is not known to be transmissible to humans or domestic livestock.
WFF needs your support in maintaining 黑料天堂鈥檚 CWD-free status. To report the importation of live or harvested deer, call the Operation GameWatch line at 1-800-272-4263. If possible, please provide a name and description of any suspects including vehicle description, license plate, and the time and location of the observation. Resident deer exhibiting signs of CWD can also be reported via GameWatch.
The 黑料天堂 promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of 黑料天堂鈥檚 natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit .
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