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Fort Knox joins three-county CWD surveillance area following confirmed case in Breckinridge County

By Patrick HodgesNovember 1, 2024

Fort Knox Deer
Fort Knox trail cam photo from the 2023 hunting season. (Photo Credit: Fort Knox Natural Resources Branch) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Knox, Ky. – Following a recent Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources announcement regarding a single confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease found in a captive deer breeding facility in Breckinridge County, Kentucky; Breckinridge, Meade and Hardin counties are now considered part of a CWD surveillance area. As Fort Knox is comprised of three counties, to include Hardin and Meade, post officials made the decision to consider the entire installation part of this area.

According to Fort Knox Natural Resources Branch Chief David Jones, CWD is a neurological illness that affects members of the cervid family, which includes white-tailed deer, caused by abnormal proteins called prions.

“The disease is spread throughout deer population via contact with the urine, feces, saliva, blood, semen, deer parts of infected animals as well as contaminated soil,” said Jones. It’s slow-spreading, but always-fatal, and there is currently no known cure or way to test living specimens.”

Jones said the decision to include the entire installation in the surveillance area was the practical choice.

“The Bullitt County portion of Fort Knox encompasses about a third of the installation acreage, and we felt, especially given the mobility of deer, that this was the simplest approach,” said Jones. “Therefore, any deer harvested on Fort Knox, to include those in the Bullitt County portion, should follow the carcass transportation guidelines set forth by the KDFWR.”

Those measures include the following:

·        Deer carcasses or high-risk parts (i.e., brain, eyes, backbone, spleen) of deer may not be taken outside of the three-county area (Hardin, Meade, Breckinridge).

·        Only de-boned meat, antlers, antlers attached to a clean skull cap, a clean skull, clean teeth, hides and finished taxidermy products may be taken outside of this designated surveillance area.

·        Deer carcasses from outside this surveillance area are allowed to be brought into the surveillance zone.

·        If using a meat processor, only processors located within the surveillance area are authorized for deer harvested on post or in the designated counties.

·        (Specific to Fort Knox) All harvested deer MUST be brought to the Fort Knox check station, located at Building 9297, during the two quota gun check station weekends (Nov. 16-17 and Nov. 23-24). Upon check station departure, ALL state implemented CWD protocols must be followed.

Jones reiterated that no changes to the ongoing 2024 Fort Knox deer season dates, quota hunts or bag limits are planned at this time.

While Jones admits the steps taken by KDFWR are appropriate and prudent, he said there is currently no reason for Fort Knox hunters to be concerned.

“It’s important to note that CWD has been identified in 35 states so far, including the south westernmost portion of Kentucky. It has been an issue in hunting circles for some time now,” said Jones. “The team here has been randomly testing deer for more than a decade, and fortunately, we haven’t had a single confirmed case.”

Jones added that the disease is not currently believed to be transmissible to humans.

“There hasn’t been a single case of CWD in humans that we are aware of,” said Jones. “That said, out of an abundance of caution, I would highly encourage folks not to consume the meat from deer that have tested positive or that otherwise look or act ill at the time of harvest. It’s just not worth the risk as the science isn’t quite settled.”

Jones said he encourages hunters to do the right thing when it comes to CWD to ensure deer herds and conservation efforts remain strong.

“I fully understand that these measures add some complexity to the process, but they’ve been put in place for good reason,” said Jones. “If we want to ensure our children, and their children, have a healthy environment where they can hunt and enjoy the fruits of their labor, we’ll do everything we can to ensure we limit the spread in this area.”

​​​​The KDFWR website encourages hunters to aid the state’s statewide monitoring efforts by dropping off the heads of legally harvested and telechecked deer at self-serve CWD sample drop-off locations that can be found at CWD Sample Drop-Off Sites. This service is provided at no cost to hunters, and they will be notified if a submitted specimen tests positive.

The KDFWR website also recommends an additional way for hunters to assist.

“Deer that appear to be sick, but do not have an obvious injury, can be reported using the department’s sick deer online reporting form; reports will be reviewed by the agency’s wildlife health program staff, who will contact the person submitting the report if additional information is needed.​​​​”

NOTE 1: There will be a public meeting, hosted by KDFWR, to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Breckinridge County Cooperative Extension Office, 1377 S. Highway 261 in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. Learn more about the meeting here.

NOTE 2: The KDFWR has not indicated if surveillance area status will be lifted in the event on no additional confirmed cases over a specified amount of time.