As an agency, the Division of Wildlife wants to give you as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to hunt and consume animals from the area. Many people, including Division of Wildlife employees, have hunted and will continue to hunt in the endemic area. The final choice on whether to hunt in the area or elsewhere in the state is yours. C. Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Research 1. At present, there is no known way to eradicate the disease from free ranging deer and elk herds in northeastern Colorado.
Researchers believe there is strong evidence that deer density is related to disease prevalence.
If this is the case, reducing the density of deer in area could reduce the prevalence of the disease. The Division of Wildlife plan is to reduce the present herd by more than half within the next two to three years with the help of local hunters and landowners. Division of Wildlife researchers and biologists are studying chronic wasting disease on numerous fronts. Their work and expertise on the subject is noted not only nationally, but internationally as well. Staff researchers and biologists are involved both directly and indirectly in chronic wasting disease work.