CWD

A collection of 44 posts

Newsletter

Restoring Biodiversity - 7/7/2026

The lesson this week is simple: conservation works best when it is grounded in biology, measured by outcomes, and humble enough to adapt.

Chronic Wasting Disease

CWD Research, Insights Shared At Deer Associates Gathering

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is the “greatest threat” to whitetail deer, and it’s a threat that is here to stay.

"Invasion Biology"

Drought Busters 101

“Drought Busters” is an inexpensive, quick, physiologically and economically sustainable method of habitat and wildlife restoration.

Bio-Diversity

Wyoming Elk Migration

The Jackson Elk Herd, at approximately 11,000 animals, is one of the largest in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the largest in the state of Wyoming.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Two Hunters Died of Rare Prion Disease. Doctors Suspect a First-of-Its Kind Deer Transmission

Two recent cases of prion disease in the U.S. may have been caused by contaminated deer meat, though the connection is still unproven.

Bio-Diversity

Elk in Paradise: Rancher, Ecologist, Hunter

The ancient pathways of elk are the heartbeat of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—herds shifting with the seasons to sustain the wonder of this place.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease Ends Decades of Kerr Deer Research

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said Friday that a captive, white-tailed deer in the Kerr Wildlife Management Area tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease sometimes called “zombie deer” disease.

"Wolves"

Let’s Tell the Truth About Wolf Predation

“As discussed below, actual livestock deaths from wolf predation are few, and greatly exaggerated.   NOTE: this article was originally published to JHNewsandGuide.com. It was written by Story Warren, of Writers on the Range.   The return of wolves to the West has always been contentious, and the deaths last fall

"Invasion Biology"

Securing a Future for Wolves in the West

Another excellent article by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) the free market conservation think tank based in Bozeman.   This one is about how to address people and livelihoods while achieving the essential ecological need to return wolves across the West. NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Scientists to Study ‘Walking-Dead’ Deer in Wyoming’s Most CWD-Infected Herd

As reported below, 98% of the animals in one of Wyoming’s deer herds have Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Infection rates like these will soon make Wyoming, Montana and Idaho the national leaders of the epidemic.   Obvious ways to control CWD include stopping practices such as winter feeding that everyone

Chronic Wasting Disease

Support for Mitigating Catastrophic Wildfire Damage and Environmental CWD Contamination Using Wild Horse Grazing

“Three seemingly unsolvable problems facing forest, range and wildlife managers are (1) increasing numbers and severity of wildfires, (2) the relentless spread of CWD, and (3) what to do about wild horses. What if a significant partial solution to all three is found in the so-called problem itself?

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease Test Developed by Scientists

“A very good discussion of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and a new test for live animals.   NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on April 17, 2021. It was written by Brent French.   BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Scientists have developed a new way to test live animals for chronic

Chronic Wasting Disease

Emergency Order Issued After 6 Breeding Facilities Test Positive for 'Zombie Deer' Disease

The article below discusses Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) which is spreading through Texas and the West at an accelerating rate. As we have written in the “Philosophy” section of this blog:   “Confinement livestock operations take animals off the range where they efficiently convert the sun’s energy in the form

Chronic Wasting Disease

First Feedground-Region Elk Contracts CWD

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a rapidly spreading, invariably-fatal brain disease which is decimating North American deer and elk. It is now found in Yellowstone and Grand Teton’s elk.   In addition, the herds of elk, bison and cattle in and around Yellowstone exist in close proximity and infect

"Wolves"

Using Wolves as First Responders Against a Deadly Brain Disease

Some scientists say that the predators are essential to curbing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease because they pick off weak deer.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Disease Threatening Deer Population Has Spread to 26 States

An illness similar to mad-cow disease that is fatal to deer is spreading across the U.S., worrying hunters, wildlife-management officials and scientists.

Bighorn

What We Know About Mule Deer Subspecies

Far-West Texas is home to the Desert Mule Deer, one of eleven subspecies of Odocoileus hemionus. Though larger than the Texas whitetail, Texas’ mule deer are smaller than their northern cousins. For many reasons, far-West Texas’ mule deer numbers have been falling irregularly for years. The many perversities

"Invasion Biology"

Aerial Shooting in Big Bend Park Spooks and Angers Hikers

On Texas’ public lands, helicopters are routinely used by bighorn sheep managers to kill ‘exotic’ animals and predators – often while counting game. This terrifies wildlife. Years of doing this has taught sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn to associate helicopters with mortal danger. This places extreme stress on animals – especially fawns

"Invasion Biology"

Sheep on the Mountain

A great article from TWA. At Circle Ranch, we have enjoyed considerable success with Desert Bighorn. Here is our take on how to help these majestic animals get re-established in their native range: 1. Increase water. Add a lot of water everywhere. Provide water in more locations and use

"Invasion Biology"

The Most Powerful Tool

A very good article on using cattle to improve wildlife habitat. NOTE: this article below was published by Texas Wildlife Magazine as part of their July, 2018 issue. It was written by Steve Nelle.

"Invasion Biology"

Lyme Disease’s Worst Enemy? It Might Be Foxes

Outbreaks of epidemic diseases and parasites are growing wildlife problems, especially when these are passed to humans. Wildlife managers spend as much time on these problems as on any other aspect of wildlife husbandry. Predators control these diseases, which is another reason that predator removals are such a huge mistake.

Bighorn

Supplemental Water and Feed for Desert Bighorn Sheep

In my experience, like elk, bighorn thrive unless humans kill them or the other animals with which they are interdependent.  Sheep are one of the few species humans have been able to domesticate.  They are human-tolerant which is why they are easy to hunt.

"Invasion Biology"

A Better Fight Against Cattle Fever Ticks

Planned grazing has been shown to significantly control fever ticks without medications when the recovery (rest) periods – the time between when a herd leaves a pasture and when it returns – exceeds 150 days. This is because the ticks’ life cycle cannot survive absence of host animals for that long.   Decades

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Mule Deer "Management": Does Culling Low-Point Desert Mule Deer Bucks Help or Harm the Herd and Its Genetics?

Culling Mule Deer – or whitetail – is scientifically unjustifiable, and does not improve herd genetics. Note: This post originally appeared on this blog in November 2014 Approach #1: Remove Cull Bucks to Improve Herd Genetics …Jerad Wayne Zachary, Deer Guide Dear Mr. Gill, I hope you are doing well. I just

"Invasion Biology"

Study Shows Mountain Lions Pose no Human Threat in Big Bend National Park

Studies at Big Bend National Park show that mountain lions avoid humans, are most active early and late in the day, and that female lions are more active than males. This is consistent with our experience and observations at Circle Ranch, where we protect our lions because they and all