#1154 - Doug Duren & Bryan Richards

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00:00

  Discussion on Chronic Wasting Disease with Ted Nugent and Potential Human Health Implications

  • Ted Nugent downplayed the consequences of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on Joe Rogan's farm in Wisconsin.
  • Brian Richards, a wildlife biologist, discusses the origins and impact of CWD on deer populations.
  • CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that results in holes in the brain leading to death and poses a potential risk to human health.
• 00:02:53

  Prions, Mad Cow Disease, and Human Transmission Concerns

  • Explanation of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) like Mad Cow Disease and its similarities to CWD.
  • Prions, the disease-causing agents, show resistance to heat and have the potential to infect humans.
  • Discussion on the role of prions in transforming normal cellular proteins into disease-associated forms with unique characteristics.
• 00:12:09

  Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Spread: Early Detection and Management Challenges

  • CWD is transmitting through seemingly healthy deer, indicating potential widespread exposure
  • CWD has been detected in multiple states and countries, with evidence of increasing spread
  • Norway's proactive approach involves eliminating reindeer herds affected by CWD for five years
• 00:15:26

  Norway's Aggressive Response to CWD: Mass Culling and Stamping Out Strategy

  • Norway undertakes mass culling of infected reindeer herds to prevent CWD spread
  • Stamping out approach, eliminating entire herds, a drastic but effective measure
  • Five-year containment strategy followed by controlled repopulation and rigorous testing
• 00:24:09

  Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Transmission and Impact on Deer Population

  • EHD contrasted with CWD in terms of transmission cycle and prevalence.
  • High prevalence of CWD in specific deer farms like Hall Farm in Wisconsin and Iowa.
  • Concerns about the continuous spread and lack of known ecological factors halting CWD transmission.
• 00:27:02

  CWD Potential Impact on Human Health and Transmission Beyond Species

  • Discussion on the potential of CWD crossing species barrier to humans.
  • Reference to studies showing CWD prion protein affecting human prion conversion.
  • Debate on the evolving strains of CWD and its implications on species barrier.
• 00:38:43

  Concerns about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Transmission in Mule Deer Herds

  • Significant prevalence of CWD in mule deer herds, potentially up to 20%.
  • Discussion on the possibility of CWD transmission via agricultural commodities and fecal material.
  • Concerns raised about the spread of CWD through the movement of agricultural products across borders.
• 00:41:17

  Challenges and Tactics in Addressing Misinformation on CWD

  • Discussion on tactics used to divert attention from CWD impacts by cherry-picking literature.
  • Highlighting the difficulty in proving the effects of CWD due to factors in the biological world.
  • Concerns raised about the potential of CWD to evolve into a pandemic disease.
• 00:51:16

  BSC and CWD: A Deep Dive into Prion Diseases

  • Discussion on the different incubation periods of BSC (Mad Cow Disease) and CWD in animals like deer and cows.
  • Explanation of how BSC-infected cows do not shed infectious agents unlike CWD-positive deer and scraping positive sheep.
  • Importance of precautionary measures like not allowing older-aged cattle into the human food chain to prevent Mad Cow Disease.
• 00:54:34

  Impact of Human Activities on the Spread of CWD

  • Analysis of how human-assisted movements play a major role in spreading Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among deer.
  • Discussion on the dangers of transferring carcasses and the need for stricter regulations and educational programs to prevent the spread of CWD.
  • Exploration of unethical practices like releasing farm-grown deer with artificially enlarged antlers into the wild, impacting natural selection.
• 01:04:27

  Chronic Wasting Disease and Captive Deer Facilities

  • CWD potentially spread through captive deer facilities importing and releasing animals into the wild for hunting.
  • In the lower 48, around 100 captive deer and elk facilities have been identified as CWD positive.
  • First instances of CWD were described in Colorado in 1967, but deer farming industry boomed in the 60s and 70s.
• 01:05:34

  Managing Carcass Hygiene and Disease Spread

  • Concerns about CWD have prompted discussions on proper handling of deer carcasses.
  • Efforts to dispose of deer remains safely include using clay-lined landfills and specialized dumpsters.
  • Proposals like self-service kiosks for deer testing aim to streamline disease monitoring and control.
• 01:16:10

  Managing Deer Bones and Wildlife Diseases

  • DNR suggests leaving deer bones on the farm to prevent disease spread.
  • Importance of disease prevention and not moving infected carcasses.
  • Research funding and transparency with stakeholders crucial in disease management.
• 01:17:28

  Vaccines and Genetic Resistance in CWD

  • Challenges in vaccine development for prion diseases like CWD.
  • Research on genetic markers providing protection from the disease.
  • Discussion on the advantages and limitations of genetic resistance in deer populations.
• 01:28:49

  Chronic Wasting Disease and Its Impact on Deer in Kansas

  • Discussion on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and its presence in deer populations
  • Game warden Michael Hopper's contribution in monitoring deer with CWD in Kansas
  • Transmission methods and impact of CWD on wildlife health
• 01:29:52

  Exploring the Role of Wolves in Managing CWD Spread

  • Investigating the potential interactions between wolves and CWD-infected deer
  • Discussion on the predatory behavior of wolves in relation to deer health
  • Exploring mathematical models on using predators to slow or stop the spread of CWD
• 01:42:34

  Deer Population Management and Disease Control Efforts

  • The increase in deer population poses various challenges like disease transmission and habitat destruction.
  • Historical management strategies aimed at growing deer populations have led to exponential growth.
  • Current approaches include distributing more tags to control population size and implementing disease management measures like antler point restrictions.
• 01:46:46

  Biological and Sociological Implications of Deer Management

  • Balancing biological disease control with sociological aspects like hunter engagement is complicated.
  • Promoting older male deer could affect disease prevalence negatively in areas with CWD.
  • Effective communication through platforms like podcasts is crucial to raise awareness about the complex issues surrounding deer management.
• 01:54:40

  Wisconsin's Legislative Challenges in Conservation

  • Supreme Court grants Department of Conservation the right to restrict animal imports for herd integrity
  • Laws can be changed under various pressures like forestry legislation
  • Ethical considerations versus legalities in conservation decisions
• 01:56:13

  Controversial Management Strategies in Disease Control

  • Legislatively controlled antler tag allocations
  • Controversy over Ernebuck policy and its opposition by hunters
  • Efforts to reduce deer populations for disease control despite resistance
• 02:06:46

  Doug's Reflection on Hunting Legacy & Future Generations

  • Reflects on personal hunting experiences and the joy of hunting.
  • Expresses concerns about the future of hunting traditions and passing it on to future generations.
  • Emphasizes the importance of sustainability and preserving hunting heritage for the future.
• 02:08:20

  Impacts of Chronic Wasting Disease on Deer Population

  • Discusses the economic importance of deer hunting in Wisconsin.
  • Highlights the challenges posed by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer.
  • Describes the impact of CWD on deer health, population dynamics, and hunting experiences.