Protect Our Deer, Prevent The Spread Of CWD
Gary Moore
October 02, 2025
In October 2024, a red deer from a captive facility in Herkimer County, NY tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). This was the first CWD detection in New York since 2005 and is the closest confirmed case of CWD to New Hampshire and Vermont.
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game and Vermont Fish and Wildlife officials, “The movement of captive cervids including moose, deer, elk, and caribou, as well as any species of captive deer remains the number one threat in the spread of CWD, but the transportation of high-risk cervid parts including the brain, spinal cord, and lymph nodes across state lines can also play a significant role in its dispersal.”
It is essential that hunters do everything possible to prevent this devastating disease from spreading by adhering to laws and regulations regarding the transportation of cervids from CWD-positive jurisdictions.
New Hampshire’s regulation states you may legally bring back only deboned meat, antlers, upper canine teeth, hides or capes with no part of the head attached, and finished taxidermy mounts. Antlers attached to skull caps or canine teeth must have all soft tissue removed.
Vermont’s regulation is similar. Only meat that is cut up, packaged and labeled with hunting license information and not mixed with other deer or elk during processing; meat that is boneless; hides or capes with no part of the head attached; clean skull-cap with antlers attached; antlers with no other meat or tissue attached; finished taxidermy heads; and upper canine teeth with no tissue attached may be brought back.
The use of natural urine-based lures also poses a threat. Multiple synthetic deer lures are available for sale that do not pose any risk of spreading disease which can be used as an alternative to natural urine.
Bits and Pieces
If you enjoy wildlife be sure to make plans to attend the 24th annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, Vermont this Saturday.
Activities at Dead Creek Wildlife Day are especially for people who enjoy hunting, fishing, birdwatching, or learning about Vermont’s diverse wildlife and ecosystems. The event will be held at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area on Route 17, west of Route 22A.
The festival is hosted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and Otter Creek Audubon Society. This year’s event is supported by a grant from the Kelsey Trust.
For more information and a schedule of events visit Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website and check under Watch Wildlife.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on re-adopting rules related to Fis 308.04 on Thursday, October 16 at NHFG Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord. The hearing will begin at 12:30 p.m.
There are existing rules that are set to expire in January. There are no substantive changes being proposed, only removing the reference to the cost of the license fee prior to 2016.
The public is invited to attend to provide feedback or submit comments via e-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov. The proposed rules can be viewed ahead of the meeting by visiting www.wildlife.state.nh.us/legislative/proposed-rules.html.
***
The 2026 New Hampshire Wildlife Calendar is now available from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The award-winning calendar features close-up images of native wildlife and includes hunting, fishing, and recreational season dates for the Granite State.
Visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/shop-and-support/shop-wild-nh to purchase calendars online and enjoy free shipping. Or stop by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
***
Thirty-three permit holders were drawn in this year’s New Hampshire moose lottery, randomly selected by computer from a pool of more than 6,100 applicants. Also, one charitable permit each was issued to the New Hampshire Wildlife Heritage Foundation and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation’s Dream Hunt Program.
This year’s hunt is October 18–26.
In 2024, New Hampshire hunters had a statewide success rate of 64 percent with 21 moose harvested.
Each hunter with a moose permit will be assigned to hunt in one of eight Wildlife Management Units throughout the state.
The moose hunt has been an annual event in New Hampshire for more than 30 years. The state's first modern-day moose hunt took place in 1988, with 75 permits issued in the North Country.
***
The hunting season for ruffed grouse in New Hampshire’ starts October 1 and runs through December 31. Woodcock season opens October 1 and concludes November 14.
***
Tune in to WYKR 101.3 FM or 1100 AM on Thursday at 6 p.m. for The Outdoor Edge. Thoughts on the Out-of-Doors airs as a segment of the program. My guest is Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist Jackie Comeau who is the leader of the bear project. She will talking about the new research project underway and everything bear.
The native of Dalton, NH and graduate of White Mountain Regional High School know the North county of NH and the Northeast Kingdom of VT very well.
Parting Shots
I need to correct a mistake I made in last week’s column about the Four Chaplains. The board formed a non profit 501c 3 that bought chapel not the legion. However, the legion helped raise a lot of money.
***
Sunday September 21 my sister Wendy O’Donnell and I kayaked on Moore Reservoir with kayaks from North Country Kayak. It was a beautiful afternoon to be on the water as the trees began to turn color.
The water level in the reservoir was lower than I have ever seen it which meant a hundred yard stretch from shore to the water.
I had such an enjoyable time earlier this summer on the reservoir, I had wanted to introduce Wendy to North Country Kayak and all that they have to offer. We are lucky to have such an operation in the area.
We will be back next season.
Owner Jack Varin told me, “We're scheduled to be open through Saturday, October 18th, weather and water levels permitting by reservation only. We are now offering guided fall foliage tours 5 days a week.”
The operation is closed Mondays and Fridays through the end of the season.
For reservations call 603-901-3079 or go to: https://northcountrykayak.com/.
***
Finally we go some much needed rain. Between Thursday morning and Friday morning my rain gauge recorded 1.8 inches. It was a help but much more is needed to help with the effects of the draught.
***
As I write this Saturday morning I am about to leave for DHMC where Linda has been in the ICU since Thursday afternoon. She had her bi-weekly chemo Thursday morning and returned home about 2:15, suddenly unable to lift her right arm. We immediately called Norris Cotton North and were told to get her to the emergency room so we called the ambulance and she went to Dartmouth.
Any mistakes in this column are mine as Linda was not able to edit it as she has done for 48 years.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore
According to New Hampshire Fish and Game and Vermont Fish and Wildlife officials, “The movement of captive cervids including moose, deer, elk, and caribou, as well as any species of captive deer remains the number one threat in the spread of CWD, but the transportation of high-risk cervid parts including the brain, spinal cord, and lymph nodes across state lines can also play a significant role in its dispersal.”
It is essential that hunters do everything possible to prevent this devastating disease from spreading by adhering to laws and regulations regarding the transportation of cervids from CWD-positive jurisdictions.
New Hampshire’s regulation states you may legally bring back only deboned meat, antlers, upper canine teeth, hides or capes with no part of the head attached, and finished taxidermy mounts. Antlers attached to skull caps or canine teeth must have all soft tissue removed.
Vermont’s regulation is similar. Only meat that is cut up, packaged and labeled with hunting license information and not mixed with other deer or elk during processing; meat that is boneless; hides or capes with no part of the head attached; clean skull-cap with antlers attached; antlers with no other meat or tissue attached; finished taxidermy heads; and upper canine teeth with no tissue attached may be brought back.
The use of natural urine-based lures also poses a threat. Multiple synthetic deer lures are available for sale that do not pose any risk of spreading disease which can be used as an alternative to natural urine.
Bits and Pieces
If you enjoy wildlife be sure to make plans to attend the 24th annual Dead Creek Wildlife Day in Addison, Vermont this Saturday.
Activities at Dead Creek Wildlife Day are especially for people who enjoy hunting, fishing, birdwatching, or learning about Vermont’s diverse wildlife and ecosystems. The event will be held at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area on Route 17, west of Route 22A.
The festival is hosted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and Otter Creek Audubon Society. This year’s event is supported by a grant from the Kelsey Trust.
For more information and a schedule of events visit Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website and check under Watch Wildlife.
***
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on re-adopting rules related to Fis 308.04 on Thursday, October 16 at NHFG Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord. The hearing will begin at 12:30 p.m.
There are existing rules that are set to expire in January. There are no substantive changes being proposed, only removing the reference to the cost of the license fee prior to 2016.
The public is invited to attend to provide feedback or submit comments via e-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov. The proposed rules can be viewed ahead of the meeting by visiting www.wildlife.state.nh.us/legislative/proposed-rules.html.
***
The 2026 New Hampshire Wildlife Calendar is now available from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The award-winning calendar features close-up images of native wildlife and includes hunting, fishing, and recreational season dates for the Granite State.
Visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/shop-and-support/shop-wild-nh to purchase calendars online and enjoy free shipping. Or stop by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
***
Thirty-three permit holders were drawn in this year’s New Hampshire moose lottery, randomly selected by computer from a pool of more than 6,100 applicants. Also, one charitable permit each was issued to the New Hampshire Wildlife Heritage Foundation and the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation’s Dream Hunt Program.
This year’s hunt is October 18–26.
In 2024, New Hampshire hunters had a statewide success rate of 64 percent with 21 moose harvested.
Each hunter with a moose permit will be assigned to hunt in one of eight Wildlife Management Units throughout the state.
The moose hunt has been an annual event in New Hampshire for more than 30 years. The state's first modern-day moose hunt took place in 1988, with 75 permits issued in the North Country.
***
The hunting season for ruffed grouse in New Hampshire’ starts October 1 and runs through December 31. Woodcock season opens October 1 and concludes November 14.
***
Tune in to WYKR 101.3 FM or 1100 AM on Thursday at 6 p.m. for The Outdoor Edge. Thoughts on the Out-of-Doors airs as a segment of the program. My guest is Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist Jackie Comeau who is the leader of the bear project. She will talking about the new research project underway and everything bear.
The native of Dalton, NH and graduate of White Mountain Regional High School know the North county of NH and the Northeast Kingdom of VT very well.
Parting Shots
I need to correct a mistake I made in last week’s column about the Four Chaplains. The board formed a non profit 501c 3 that bought chapel not the legion. However, the legion helped raise a lot of money.
***
Sunday September 21 my sister Wendy O’Donnell and I kayaked on Moore Reservoir with kayaks from North Country Kayak. It was a beautiful afternoon to be on the water as the trees began to turn color.
The water level in the reservoir was lower than I have ever seen it which meant a hundred yard stretch from shore to the water.
I had such an enjoyable time earlier this summer on the reservoir, I had wanted to introduce Wendy to North Country Kayak and all that they have to offer. We are lucky to have such an operation in the area.
We will be back next season.
Owner Jack Varin told me, “We're scheduled to be open through Saturday, October 18th, weather and water levels permitting by reservation only. We are now offering guided fall foliage tours 5 days a week.”
The operation is closed Mondays and Fridays through the end of the season.
For reservations call 603-901-3079 or go to: https://northcountrykayak.com/.
***
Finally we go some much needed rain. Between Thursday morning and Friday morning my rain gauge recorded 1.8 inches. It was a help but much more is needed to help with the effects of the draught.
***
As I write this Saturday morning I am about to leave for DHMC where Linda has been in the ICU since Thursday afternoon. She had her bi-weekly chemo Thursday morning and returned home about 2:15, suddenly unable to lift her right arm. We immediately called Norris Cotton North and were told to get her to the emergency room so we called the ambulance and she went to Dartmouth.
Any mistakes in this column are mine as Linda was not able to edit it as she has done for 48 years.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore
The water on Moore Reservoir is near the top of the boulder most of the summer season.
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