Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at a High Fence Release Site in Kaufman County

Nov. 28, 2022
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
AUSTIN –Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was detected on a high fence release site in Kaufman County. This is the first positive detection of CWD in the county.

The white-tailed buck, harvested at a high-fence release site located in a CWD Surveillance Zone, was delivered to a Hunt County CWD check station in compliance with surveillance zone requirements. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received notice of the CWD-positive test result from the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) on Nov. 14.

Prior to this detection, the high-fence release site was identified as a “trace herd” property to the Hunt County CWD-positive deer breeding facility reported on March 31, 2021, meaning deer were transferred from the Hunt County facility to this release site prior to discovery of CWD in that facility. Plans to conduct additional CWD investigations are underway.

“The incubation period of CWD can span years, creating disease detection and management challenges as seen in this recent detection,” said Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director and State Veterinarian.

Animal health and wildlife officials will continue investigations to determine the extent of the disease within the property and mitigate risks to Texas’ CWD-susceptible species. Adequate surveillance and quick detection of CWD can help mitigate the disease’s spread.

“The discovery of CWD on this ranch is an unfortunate situation that TPWD and TAHC take very seriously,” said John Silovsky, TPWD Wildlife Division Director. “Both agencies will respond appropriately to this matter to protect the state’s susceptible species from further disease exposure. Hunters are reminded of the requirement to bring their harvested deer to the check station within 48 hours of harvest.”

First recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, CWD has since been documented in captive and/or free-ranging deer in 30 states and three Canadian provinces. To date, 420 captive or free-ranging cervids — including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer, and elk — in 17 Texas counties have tested positive for CWD. For more information on previous detections visit the CWD page on the TPWD website.

Testing for CWD allows wildlife biologists and animal health officials to get a clearer picture of the prevalence and distribution of the disease across Texas. Proactive monitoring improves the state’s response time to a CWD detection and can greatly reduce the risk of the disease further spreading to neighboring captive and free-ranging populations.

This confirmation is a good reminder to those hunting in CWD surveillance and containment zones to know the submission requirements for CWD susceptible species. Additionally, hunters outside of established surveillance and containment zones are encouraged to voluntarily submit their harvest for testing at a check station, for free, before heading home from the field. A map of TPWD check stations for all CWD zones can be found on the TPWD website.

For more information about CWD, visit the TPWD web site or the TAHC web site.

Ironically there was a young lady in High School that wrote a very informative thesis and defended it quit well on this exact situation.

Pretty impressive research and very well defended.

We are in year 60 of the alleged scrapie jump, and zombie deer have yet to take over.

TPWD were set up at the local processing locker this weekend taking samples. They were a bit taken aback when I refused to let them test my deer for CWD

Also check stations at Doss and Harper in western Gillispie county

What is a "high fence release site"? The story tries to explain but does a poor job of it.

It’s saying they bought deer from a location in 2021 that had a positive last year after they purchased.

Live testing as been going on for two years now. As the science starts honing in on CWD and breeders start isolating and spacing herds out, TWPD sure start looking political in their approach.

CWD detected at high fence release site in Kaufman County
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was detected on a high fence release site in Kaufman County. This is the first positive detection of CWD in the county.

The white-tailed buck, harvested at a high-fence release site located in a CWD Surveillance Zone, was delivered to a Hunt County CWD check station in compliance with surveillance zone requirements. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received notice of the CWD-positive test result from the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory on Nov. 14.

Prior to this detection, the Kaufman County high-fence release site was identified as a “trace herd” property to the Hunt County CWD-positive deer breeding facility reported on March 31, 2021, meaning deer were transferred from the Hunt County facility to this release site prior to discovery of CWD in that facility. Plans to conduct additional CWD investigations are underway.

“The incubation period of CWD can span years, creating disease detection and management challenges as seen in this recent detection,” said Andy Schwartz, TAHC executive director and state veterinarian.

Animal health and wildlife officials will continue investigations to determine the extent of the disease within the property and mitigate risks to Texas’ CWD-susceptible species.

“The discovery of CWD on this ranch is an unfortunate situation that TPWD and TAHC take very seriously,” said John Silovsky, TPWD Wildlife Division director. “Both agencies will respond appropriately to this matter to protect the state’s susceptible species from further disease exposure. Hunters are reminded of the requirement to bring their harvested deer to the check station within 48 hours of harvest.”

First recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, CWD has since been documented in captive and/or free-ranging deer in 30 states and three Canadian provinces.

To date, 420 captive or free-ranging cervids—including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer and elk—in 17 Texas counties have tested positive for CWD. For more information on previous detections visit the CWD page on the TPWD website.

Testing for CWD allows wildlife biologists and animal health officials to get a clearer picture of the prevalence and distribution of the disease across Texas. Proactive monitoring improves the state’s response time to a CWD detection and can greatly reduce the risk of the disease further spreading to neighboring captive and free-ranging populations.

This confirmation is a good reminder to those hunting in CWD surveillance and containment zones to know the submission requirements for CWD susceptible species. Hunters outside of established surveillance and containment zones are encouraged to voluntarily submit their harvest for testing at a check station, for free, before heading home from the field. A map of TPWD check stations for all CWD zones can be found on the TPWD website.

November 30th, 2022|0 Comments
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Could not care less about CWD, or submitting samples.

I heard buzzards and mexican eagles are eating dead infected deer and spreading it. That's how herds with no exposure are all of the sudden testing positive. If this is true now what?

Media Contacts: TAHC Communications
public_info@tahc.texas.gov, 512.719.0750
TPWD Press Office
news@tpwd.texas.gov, 512.389.8030

For Immediate Release
November 29, 2022
Chronic Wasting Disease Discovered at a High Fence Release Site in Kaufman County
AUSTIN, TX –Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) discovered Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on a high fence release site in Kaufman County. This is the first positive detection of CWD in the county.

The white-tailed buck, harvested at a high-fence release site located in a CWD Surveillance Zone, was delivered to a Hunt County CWD check station in compliance with surveillance zone requirements. TPWD and TAHC received notice from the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) of the presumptive positive November 14, and confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) November 29.

Prior to this detection, the high-fence release site was identified as a “trace herd” property to the Hunt County CWD-positive breeding facility reported on March 31, 2021, meaning deer were transferred from the Hunt County facility to this release site prior to discovery of CWD in that facility. Plans to conduct additional CWD investigations are underway.

“The incubation period of CWD can span years, creating disease detection and management challenges as seen in this recent detection,” said Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director and State Veterinarian.

Animal health and wildlife officials will continue investigations to determine the extent of the disease within the property and mitigate risks to Texas’ CWD-susceptible species. Adequate surveillance and quick detection of CWD can help mitigate the disease’s spread.

“The discovery of CWD on this ranch is an unfortunate situation that TPWD and TAHC take very seriously,” said John Silovsky, TPWD Wildlife Division Director. “Both agencies will respond appropriately to this matter to protect the state’s susceptible species from further disease exposure. Hunters are reminded of the requirement to bring their harvested deer to the check station within 48 hours of harvest.”

First recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, CWD has since been documented in captive and/or free-ranging deer in 30 states and three Canadian provinces. To date, 420 captive or free-ranging cervids — including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer and elk — in 17 Texas counties have tested positive for CWD. For more information on previous detections visit the CWD page on the TPWD website.

Testing for CWD allows wildlife biologists and animal health officials to get a clearer picture of the prevalence and distribution of the disease across Texas. Proactive monitoring improves the state’s response time to a CWD detection and can greatly reduce the risk of the disease further spreading to neighboring captive and free-ranging populations.

This confirmation is a good reminder to those hunting in CWD surveillance and containment zones to know the submission requirements for CWD susceptible species. Additionally, hunters outside of established surveillance and containment zones are encouraged to voluntarily submit their harvest for testing at a check station, for free, before heading home from the field. A map of TPWD check stations for all CWD zones can be found on the TPWD website.

For more information about CWD, visit the TPWD web site or the TAHC web site.
###

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) was established in 1893 as the Livestock Sanitary Commission and charged with protecting the state’s domestic animals “from all contagious or infectious diseases of a malignant character.” TAHC remains true to this charge while evolving with the times to protect the health and marketability of all Texas livestock and poultry. Learn more about the TAHC visit www.tahc.texas.gov.

Raise your hand if you have ever seen a deer die from CWD. Also raise your hand if you know you have absolutely 100% never eaten a deer with CWD.

can't raise my hand on either of those.

Especially if you have ever eaten “Lamb”

Curious as to your reasoning behind refusing to let them test it?

It’s scrapie’s nothing more nothing less. Do all sheep that go to slaughter get tested for scrapies? Why not?

I'm sure they don't... but I also don't think they were testing every deer at every processor across the state. Just trying to figure out what you have to lose by letting them test it. Maybe it would be beneficial to them? Sorry for the ignorance I haven't kept up with the debate very much.

They don’t, it’s sampling.

For long time it was thought or sold that CWD was this massive evolved prion that jumped species. Everyone hypothesized it could evolve into Mad Cow or worse CJD/vCJD. Well more testing was done and it has been determined that it’s scrapie’s from sheep. History of scrapie’s is well studied since 1700’s. Guess what also has been present through out the US. In 1867 when sheep number tracking started, there were approximately 45 million sheep scattered through the US. Hypothesized that scrapies showed up in maybe 1947 as that’s when first actual test/report, but think about millions of sheep covering remote places throughout the US. There was no testing prior just observation

Essentially scrapie’s in Whitetail can look different than scrapie’s profile depending on where you test. Certain tissues have different looks form. Other tissues show exact same profile.

Has CWD really only been here since 1967? No, that’s when first named/observed and tested in a pen.

Since the disease takes almost 4 years or more to even begin expressing outwardly in any capacity, chances are greater that you have already had it. Also note that the % of US population with CJD hasn’t increased over the last 8 decades.

I have hunted CO, NM and Okla for decades in areas surrounded or w/positive tests. Chances are higher than not that I’ve already eaten it.

Long story short. More you test more you will find it but the big bad wolf is more like a little fox



Scrapie’s has been greatly reduced now in the US through genetic breeding efforts over past 10 years.

Thanks, BoBo, for the information and synopsis. Sounds more like a witch hunt to me...I guess TPWD is trying to push some sort of agenda then? I have always had mixed feelings about some of their programs and things they push as they tend to overblow a lot of issues. I have never seen any "sick" deer and would guess most everyone else is in the same boat.

Because I refuse to play into TPWD’s game that backfired on them when they were going after the deer breeding industry.

CWD has always been here but if you don’t test for it you won’t find it, they start testing boom they find it and now it’s “an issue “.



It’s nothing more than Bureaucratic bull shyte that they are implementing to the detriment of landowners in Texas

TPWD is influenced very heavily via monetary support from some very large land owners. I promise you none of those land owners will ever have a positive test on their ranch…….

Kind of a like a horse disease out break on the King Ranch, the TAHC protocol for every one else was euthanizing, not the King Ranch or its recipients…. Then not long after discovery, a miraculous cure is found.

I can raise my hand for both mule deer and elk. I've seen first hand elk that were just about to fall over dead from CWD, I've also seen mule deer dead from it and again almost about to fall over dead from it.
If it gets a hold in a high fence ranch it can decimate that herd. Just look at the Sybille Research area, every animal in that facility that can catch CWD does and dies from it.
Wasters animals are not something you want to see, they are really depressing to come across.

Not end of the world but they need to address the animals coming in with CWD.

You are one out of 35mill if you still lived in TX. Broken skull plates and EHD have similar symptoms. 99% of positive tests in TX where healthy dead deer.

Live testing has addressed the transportation. End of the day, any where that has had sheep has the ability to hold the prion. Natural selection always runs its course, as it’s doing now. Only areas able to show population influence has been same states that also undergo large seasonal caused die offs.

Feed companies are working on formulas and research on certain minerals that help protect against prion transfer, there are already deer and elk showing genetic ability to be resistant to it.


As far as the breeders, since they are they main political target, they are getting very smart with their segregation, transportation, genetics and AI practices. They will have CWD beat from within quicker than not.

Big money is behind the push for the original testing.

Went to the TWA conference with a friend on here and found out Steve Rinella was the keynote speaker. I said “ I wonder how far into the speech will he bring up CWD? “

Not 15 min into the talk he starts talking about CWD and his buddies farm in Wisconsin, how the prion “could possibly” jump to humans, etc.

It’s all a giant witch hunt first against deer breeders and ultimately against high fences and private property rights

Based on a lot of people I have to deal with at work, I think the prion has already jumped to humans... ha!

TPWD and the state (through sales tax) stand to lose a lot of revenue if they keep pushing away hunters and hunting opportunities. There is already enough pressure from land splitting and leases being lost, TPWD doesn't need to make it worse.

I don’t think we will ever have a problem with hunter numbers in Texas. CWD isn’t gonna change that

They has some CWD cases about 2 months ago at a high fence ranch in Limestone County.wonder if they are related.

This one is still has a lot of answers to figure out. So I doubt it. The article is written very poorly and lacks some crucial details most likely on purpose.

The “two” deer bought from the other facility tested negative and are not the deer that tested positive. This place is pretty small with no deer being transferred out. so not sure where it came from yet. The deer was kill by a hunter with zero expression of CWD

News & Media 〉News Releases
Biologists Stress Testing Harvests for Chronic Wasting Disease During Deer Season
Dec. 2, 2022
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
News Image Share on Facebook Share Release URL

AUSTIN— With the recent discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Kaufman County, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists are stressing the importance of testing harvested deer taken this hunting season to curb the spread of this deadly disease.

CWD is a highly contagious and fatal neurological disease affecting members of the deer family such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. Hunters and landowners can voluntarily submit their harvest for free CWD testing at a TPWD check station or by contacting local wildlife biologists.

First recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, CWD has since been documented in captive and/or free-ranging deer in 30 states and three Canadian provinces. To date, 428 captive or free-ranging cervids — including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer, and elk — in 17 Texas counties have tested positive for CWD.

Eradication of CWD is very difficult if not impossible when established in free-ranging deer populations and in the environment. Testing for CWD allows wildlife biologists and animal health officials to get a clearer picture of the prevalence and distribution of the disease across Texas. Proactive monitoring improves the state’s response time to a CWD detection and can greatly reduce the risk of the disease further spreading to neighboring captive and free-ranging populations.

Those hunting in CWD surveillance and containment zones need to know the submission requirements for susceptible species before hitting the field this season. Anyone hunting in an established CWD zone must bring their deer to a check station within 48 hours of harvest for testing.

There are about 30 check stations and drop boxes across the state in Kimble County, far West Texas, South Central Texas, the northwest Panhandle, Val Verde County, Hunt County, Lubbock County, Gillespie County, Limestone County and Duval County.

For more information about CWD, visit the TPWD website, the Texas Animal Health Commission website, or read about how hunters can help protect deer from CWD with a story from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine.

Find TPWD veterinarians speaking about CWD on the TPWD YouTube page.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B029o-cIHNI

Some good news for researchers and sportsman. Maybe they will come up with a practical means to live test game. Not a lot of money, but it's better than none. Good Luck.

It's been around for 50+ (1967) years, so why the big deal now?

There's a hidden agenda in there somewhere.