CNBNews

Results showing that the CWD tests of hunter-killed elk from 2010 were all negative were announced on Jan. 5.

The CWD tests on deer and elk samples were conducted by the New Bolton Center, which is the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory.  Under a contract with Penn State University, the elk samples also were tested for brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis and found to be free of those diseases.

Heads from hunter-killed deer were collected from deer processors by deer aging teams during the two-week rifle deer season.  Specific tissues were collected from these heads at Game Commission region offices by agency personnel and Pennsylvania and U.S. departments of agriculture animal health officials. 

GAME COMMISSION OFFERS ADVISE AS CWD CREEPS CLOSER TO BORDER

While no confirmed cases of Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, have been found in Pennsylvania’s wild deer and elk, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials continue to be concerned about not only “when” it arrives here, but also about how fast it could spread once it does reach the Commonwealth.

First identified in 1967, CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that affects cervids, including all species of deer, elk and moose. It is a progressive and always fatal disease of the nervous system.  Scientists theorize CWD is caused by an agent called a prion that is capable of transforming normal brain proteins into an abnormal form, in turn causing the death of brain cells.

There currently is no practical way to test live animals for CWD, nor is there a vaccine.  Clinical signs include poor posture, lowered head and ears, uncoordinated movement, rough-hair coat, weight loss, increased thirst, excessive drooling, and, ultimately, death.  There is currently no scientific evidence that CWD has or can spread to humans, either through contact with infected animals or by eating meat of infected animals. The Center for Disease Control has investigated any connection between CWD and the human forms of TSEs and stated “the risk of infection with the CWD agent among hunters is extremely small, if it exists at all” and “it is extremely unlikely that CWD would be a food-borne hazard.”

The specific carcass parts that cannot be brought back to Pennsylvania by hunters are the ones where the CWD prions (the causative agent) concentrate in cervids, and they are: the head (including brain, tonsils, eyes and any lymph nodes); spinal cord/backbone; spleen; skull plate with attached antlers, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; cape, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; upper canine teeth, if root structure or other soft tissue is present; any object or article containing visible brain or spinal cord tissue; unfinished taxidermy mounts; and brain-tanned hides. 

Pennsylvania hunters heading to a state with a history of CWD should become familiar with that state’s wildlife regulations and guidelines for the transportation of harvested game animals.  Wildlife officials have suggested hunters in areas where CWD is known to exist follow these usual recommendations to prevent the possible spread of disease:

- Do not shoot, handle or consume any animal that appears sick; contact the state wildlife agency if you see or harvest an animal that appears sick.

- Wear rubber or latex gloves when field-dressing carcasses.

- Bone out the meat from your animal.

- Minimize the handling of brain and spinal tissues.

- Wash hands and instruments thoroughly after field-dressing is completed.

- Request that your animal is processed individually, without meat from other animals being added to meat from your animal, or process your own meat if you have the tools and ability to do so.

- Have your animal processed in the endemic area of the state where it was harvested, so that high-risk body parts can be properly disposed of there.  Only bring permitted materials back to Pennsylvania.

- Don’t consume the brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, tonsils or lymph nodes of harvested animals. (Normal field-dressing, coupled with boning out a carcass, will remove most, if not all, of these body parts. Cutting away all fatty tissue will help remove remaining lymph nodes.)

- Consider not consuming the meat from any animal that tests positive for the disease.

In 2005, Pennsylvania CWD task force members completed the state’s response plan, which outlines ways to prevent CWD from entering our borders and, in the event CWD is found in Pennsylvania, how to detect it and contain it.  The task force was comprised of representatives from several state and federal agencies, including the Game Commission, the state departments of Agriculture, Health and Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as representatives from stakeholder groups including hunters, deer farmers, deer processors and taxidermists.  The plan is updated annually, and the current plan can be viewed on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by putting your cursor on “Wildlife” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, then put your cursor on “Wildlife Diseases” from the drop-down menu, and then clicking on “Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).”  This page also includes links to tips for taxidermists and meat processors, as well as the CWD Alliance’s website (www.cwd-info.org).

New Co-Sponsor Signs on to Reef Bill

by Anthony Mauro Jr

 

The NJOA has been informed that Assemblywoman Dr. Joan M. Voss, (D) District 38, has requested to be added as a Co-Sponsor on Bill A1152, which prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs. The list of Co-Sponsors is not only growing, it is also notable for its bi-partisan support. Assemblywoman Voss will become the 12th Co-Sponsor of Bill A1152.

Anthony P. Mauro, Chair, NJOA (CF), said, "We are pleased to see that once our legislative representatives gain an understanding of the inherent wrongness of the commercial fishing industry annexing and profiting from a public trust, they are quick to want to reverse the unfairness. These reefs are paid for by recreational anglers and divers by excise taxes on their fishing gear, but they are restricted from access. It's no different than having businesses set up operations on public parks and profiting while restricting public access." 

Mauro continued, "We are also delighted that our legislators understand that passage of Bill A1152 will be a step towards having Federal funding restored for the artificial reefs." The US Fish and Wildlife Service terminated funding for New Jersey's reefs on April 12, 2011 for violations of the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act. 

Captain Pete Grimbilas, President, NJOA (CF) said, "All of us extend our appreciation to those legislators who recognize that removing fixed gear (traps and pots) from the artificial reefs is not a matter of politics - but a matter of right versus wrong. The outdoors community should take a moment to give them a call and thank them."

The list that follows includes the Assembly members who are Co-Sponsors of Bill A1152. 

 Assembly Sponsors and Co-Sponsors:

Rible, David P. as Primary Sponsor (R)
Angelini, Mary Pat as Primary Sponsor (R)
Albano, Nelson T. as Co-Sponsor (D)
Wolfe, David W. as Co-Sponsor (R)
Holzapfel, James W. as Co-Sponsor (R)
Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr. as Co-Sponsor (D)
McHose, Alison Littell as Co-Sponsor (R)
Greenwald, Louis D. as Co-Sponsor (D)
Rumana, Scott T. as Co-Sponsor (R)
Amodeo, John F. as Co-Sponsor (R) 
Voss, Joan M, as Co-Sponsor (D) *
Wagner, Connie, Co-Sponsor (D) *

(* signing on as a Co-Sponsor)


You can contact your Assemblyperson and ask that they become a Co-Sponsor too - or thank them if they are already a Co-Sponsor by taking the following steps:

1. Go to the following link and click on the town where you live.

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/municipalities.asp

2. Click on the District where you live.

3. Call the phone number next to your Assembly representatives (there are two).

4. Ask them to be a Co-Sponsor of Bill A1152 (Prohibits the use of certain fishing gear on artificial reefs). Let them know that you support Bill A1152.

It's that easy.
 

   

                       You can also write your legislator! 

People can use the link that follows to send a prewritten letter requesting that bill A-1152 be heard in the Assembly, which allows for public access (hook and line, and spear fishing) to ocean reefs as intended by the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program.

http://capwiz.com/njoutdooralliance/issues/alert/?alertid=36620501&PROCESS=Take+Action

   Anthony P. Mauro, Sr

 

Chair

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance 

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects       

      

NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ALERT
Vol. 18, No. 16      04/22/11

Mexico Disregards U.S. Law

Click here to vote in this week's poll.

In another chapter in the ongoing attempt to blame the American gun community for Mexico's internal strife, CBS News reports that the Mexican government has retained the New York City-based law firm of Reid Collins & Tsai to examine its options for suing U.S. gun manufacturers and distributors.  This report describes Mexico's actions as a "novel approach," in reality, such lawsuits have been used for decades as a tactic by anti-gun groups and governments in their attempts to bankrupt gun manufacturers and circumvent the political process.

That's why Congress passed the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" in 2005.  This act protects firearms manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers from suits brought about as a result of "the harm solely caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of firearm products or ammunition products by others when the product functioned as designed and intended."  The outlook for a Mexican government suit looks dim; since the PLCAA was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Oct. 26, 2005, no federal court has allowed such a suit by a government plaintiff to go forward against a U.S. firearms manufacturer.

Mourning Another Second Amendment Hero:  Rep. Harold L. Volkmer, R.I.P.--The NRA, and American gun owners, lost a loyal friend on April 16, 2011, when former U.S. Rep. Harold L. Volkmer died in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday, and was pleased to read the hundreds of cards he had received from grateful gun owners.

Legislation Introduced To Protect Lead Based Ammo And Fishing Tackle:  On April 14^th, U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Representatives Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), introduced legislation to protect traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle from a potential ban by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

OUTRAGE Of The Week:  Capital One Rejects Hunting Photo for Image Card--"Express Yourself. Personalize your card with an image of your choice."

That is the claim made by Capital One for anyone who wants to have a personal photo put on a Capital One credit card. You can even design it yourself online with a photo you upload.

But you can't use a hunting photo. Capital One considers them unacceptable.

Urge Your Representative To Cosponsor H.R. 822, The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act Of 2011:  Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) have introduced vital legislation that will enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.

Deadline Nears On BATFE Shotgun Ban Comments:  As we reported on and since Jan. 28, May 1 is the deadline for public comments concerning a shotgun importation ban that has been proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. A working group within the BATFE has recommended that any shotgun (semi-automatic, pump-action or any other) that has any one of 10 specific features should be banned from importation, on the grounds that such shotguns are not "generally recognized as particularly suitable for a readily adaptable to sporting purposes."

Plan To Attend Free Grassroots Workshop At NRA's Upcoming Annual Meetings In Pittsburgh, PA!  In anticipation of a hectic legislative session at both the federal and state levels, and in order to lay the foundation for a successful campaign season in 2012, NRA-ILA will be hosting a FREE Grassroots Workshop on Friday, April 29, in conjunction with NRA's Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh.   

Panelists Announced For Special ILA Seminar!   In addition to the FREE Grassroots Workshop being held in conjunction with this year's Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh, the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will be holding a special seminar. 

For the fifth year in a row, the Grassroots Division will be hosting a special session titled "In Their Own Words."  This session is rapidly becoming one of our more popular events.   

ILA Dinner and Auction Sponsored By Universal Coin And Bullion:  The Institute for Legislative Action will hold its Fifth Annual Dinner and Auction in conjunction with the NRA Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday evening, April 29^th.   

The Fifth Annual NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction will allow you to show your continued support for NRA-ILA, and enjoy a great evening filled with good food, friends, and an excellent live and silent auction. 

This year, the auction will be held at Heinz Field. Don't miss your opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind firearms, original artwork, knives, hunts and wines.  This is also a great chance to meet NRA officers and ILA staff. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact John Commerford, 703-267-1141 or visitwww.nraila.org/ilaauction.