The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Agriculture and Markets confirmed a case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) at a private facility in upstate New York’s District 6 last month.

The agencies are implementing an interagency response plan to investigate detection and surveillance of wild deer in the area.

CWD is an infectious disease that affects the brain and central nervous system of some deer, moose, and elk. The threat to public health is low. Although there is no strong evidence that CWD can infect humans, people should not consume meat from infected animals.

You can find more information about CWD on the DEC’s website: dec.ny.gov.

The sample was collected as part of routine surveillance conducted by the AGM, and the case was confirmed by testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. State and federal agency partners are investigating this detection and will take action to prevent the potential spread of CWD in the state.

While there is currently no evidence of CWD in wild deer, DEC will work with local hunters, processors and taxidermists in the area to initiate enhanced surveillance on wild deer. Efforts to collect roadkill are also ongoing to determine whether CWD is present in wild deer. This expanded sampling and monitoring will inform additional actions to guide the state’s disease management strategy.

DEC began CWD monitoring efforts in 2002 and intensified the effort in 2005 after the disease was confirmed in captive and wild deer in Oneida County; this was the first appearance of the disease in New York. Since then, DEC has tested more than 65,000 wild deer statewide and no additional cases have been detected.

If you see a sick or dying deer in the wild, call 716-372-0645 (Western New York) or 315-785-2263 (Northern New York). For any other location in the state, contact your regional DEC office.

The Western New York Walleye, a fishing club formed this year, is seeking non-perishable food donations at its next meeting on Nov. 7 to continue the initiative that began shortly after the Club Walleye tournament in September.

More than $1,000 was left over after the contest, and the group decided to use it for charity around Thanksgiving, according to board member Ron Kucinski of Clarence.

Brooke Hepkins of the Lakeshore Association of Christian Churches is working with the Lakeshore School System and Most Precious Blood Church to provide a Thanksgiving meal to 50 or more families in need in the area.

Families are located anonymously through AJ Schmidt and John T. Waugh elementary schools in the Angola area. Dinner kits include all holiday ingredients and will be delivered discreetly. Additionally, a Thanksgiving dinner will be held at Most Precious Blood Church on November 28 at 15:00.

To ensure non-perishable items, bring them to the club meeting on Nov. 7 at the Knights of Columbus, 36 Pierce Ave., Hamburg, starting at 6:30 p.m. Donations can also be made through the Church of the Most Precious Blood or by calling 716-549. -0420.

The weekend of November 9-10 is a special waterfowl hunting weekend for active military or veterans meeting the definition in Section 101 of Title 38 of the United States Code.

The timing is also appropriate, as it is the weekend before Veterans Day. Duck season is currently closed for hunters in the Western Region.

Military veterans or active duty hunters must have the necessary licensing to participate, including a Harvest Information Program number and a federal waterfowl stamp. Daily limits are the same as during the regular season for all species. You must also have proof of active military or previous military service when hunting.

Additional information can be found at: dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/migratory-game-bird/regulations.

The state’s last free fishing day for 2024 is set for November 11.

A fishing license is normally required for anyone aged 16 and over. But in honor of Veterans Day, no one in the state needs a fishing license on this day.

You still need to comply with the regulations for the body of water you plan to fish. The regulations can be found at: dec.ny.gov.