Deer herd to be thinned in northwest Minnesota

Last update: February 5, 2008 - 8:39 PM

Sharpshooters for the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reduce the deer population in an area of northwestern Minnesota where the spread of bovine tuberculosis is a concern, the DNR announced Tuesday.

"Our goal is to use all the tools we have available to get ahead of this disease and ensure it doesn't persist in Minnesota's deer population," Michelle Carstensen, DNR wildlife health program coordinator, said in a news release. "Sharpshooters are one of those tools."

DNR helicopter surveys in January show that there are about 800 deer, an estimated five per square mile, in the 140-square mile area that is managed for bovine TB.

Last year, similar surveys in that area showed 920 deer, or 6.5 deer per square mile. Numbers were high enough in 2007 to prompt DNR officials to seek assistance from USDA sharpshooters to help reduce the bovine TB area's deer population.

DNR officials tested more than 1,100 hunter-harvested deer for bovine TB in 2007. They discovered four infected animals, bringing the total of infected deer to 17 since surveillance efforts began in 2005.

All deer taken by sharpshooters in the bovine TB management area will be tested for the disease. People interested in obtaining field-dressed carcasses that show no signs of infection must place their name on a waiting list by contacting Thief Lake wildlife management office at 1-218-222-3747.

Although risk of human infection from bovine TB remains low, DNR officials advise all consumers of venison to properly cook the meat to 165 degrees.

On Monday, the state Board of Animal Health reported that cattle from a Roseau operation tested positive for bovine tuberculosis. The state has now detected bovine TB in 10 beef herds.

Dr. Bill Hartmann, who is state veterinarian and executive director of the Animal Health Board, said that if another infected herd is found, Minnesota's TB status may be downgraded.

PAUL WALSH