Wisconsin management area approved to combat deer disease

A task force of tribal members has approved a Wisconsin tribal management area to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease among wild deer.

Wisconsin Public Radio reports that the Voigt Intertribal Task Force designated the tribal chronic wasting disease management area for parts of Oneida, Lincoln and Langlade counties. The task force is comprised of members from tribes in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The management area creates restrictions for tribal members to transport, dispose of and register wild deer.

Travis Bartnick is a wildlife biologist for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Bartnick says the restrictions come after two deer tested positive for the contagious neurological disease this year near tribal communities in Lincoln and Oneida counties.

The fatal disease attacks deer's brains, leading to emaciation and abnormal behavior.