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Illinois More Aggressive Than Wisconsin in Deer Disease Fight

Gay Fuhrmeister

Chronic wasting disease in Wisconsin's deer population is growing geographically and in prevalence. The Department of Natural Resources says more than 9 percent of white-tailed deer tested last year were positive for CWD. The agency says the prevalence rate is the highest since the disease was discovered in Wisconsin in 2002. More than half of the state's 72 counties now have infected deer. Democratic Reps. Chris Danour, of Trempealeau, and Nick Milroy, of South Range, are calling on Gov. Scott Walker to work with the DNR on new plans to stop the disease from spreading. Currently, the DNR does sporadic, voluntary testing. Illinois has taken a more aggressive approach to eradicating CWD, including sharpshooting in areas where deer are known to have the disease.

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