USDA, APHIS, Wildlife ServicesJustin Gansowski Supervisory Wildlife Biologist

2005 CWD Rapid Response

• Captive Depopulation• Sampling Free Ranging White-tailed Deer

2 captive herds

Responded within 24 hours

Depopulated - 20 deer

Depopulation

ICS Coordination

3 days to prepare and mobilizeApril 11-22, 25-29

Wildlife Services: NightNYSDEC: Dawn/Dusk

Goal: 400 deer

Sampling Free Ranging White-tailed Deer

Sampling Free Ranging White-tailed Deer

•Option in most situations – urban, suburban, & rural•Provided samples from target area•Can be done anytime of the year•Prep time high•Cost is high

Sampling Free Ranging White-tailed Deer

•WS used trained biologists to conduct work•Specialized training•Thermal imaging (FLIR)•Suppressed firearms•Vehicles

•Removal safe, and effective•Humane

17 operational days4 WS Marksmen1,125 hours worked Average work day 16hrs

292 deer collected• 198 night shooting• 2 tested positive

2005 Stats

Sampling Free Ranging White-tailed Deer

A

B

D

C

Recommendations

• Focus resources on night operations• Add new technology

• Interactive property maps in vehicle• Vehicle mounted FLIR• Mobile app

Recommendations

• Clearly defined goals• Land access

• Access to private property• Must have landowners permission

• Adequate resources• Marksmen• Access crews• Carcass collection crews• Public outreach teams• Support personnel

USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Justin Gansowski

Supervisory Wildlife Biologist

Justin.Gansowski@usda.gov

315-915-3200