The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission plans open house seminars and an expansion of the chronic wasting disease zone

Little Rock, Arkansas – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said on Friday that two sessions would be held in September to provide hunters with updates on new rules concerning chronic wasting illness.

Officials will acquaint hunters with the rules in Cleburne, Mississippi, and Sharp counties during the sessions; these counties were recently included in Tier 2 of the AGFC’s CWD Management Zone.

Following the discovery of a CWD-positive case, Craighead County has also been included in the management zone.

The sessions are scheduled for September 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Heber Springs Community Center and September 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the ASU Cooper Alumni Center in Jonesboro.

Dr. Jenn Ballard, state wildlife veterinarian for the AGFC, stated, “We’re really looking forward to these opportunities to talk with hunters and landowners to help kick off the fall season.” In addition to making sure we address all of their inquiries regarding CWD, staff members will be available to discuss the upcoming seasons and our expanded Deer Management Assistance Program. The hunting industry is vital to our state. Without them, we genuinely cannot manage deer or problems like CWD.”

An introduction and a brief presentation on CWD, its transmission, and ways that hunters can help halt its spread will open both sessions.

A deadly neurological condition that affects members of the deer-elk family is chronic wasting illness. According to research from the National Institutes of Health, humans are unlikely to contract CWD from animals.

Visit AGFC.com for additional details about chronic wasting disease and the AGFC’s testing drop-off sites.