The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources announced that effective immediately, natural deer urine and attractants that use any natural bodily fluids from whitetail deer or other cervids is illegal for use in the state.The Language is strong and the intent is to make an effort to prevent the introduction and spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from entering into the deer herd.
The statement reads in part;
"It is illegal to possess or use, for the purpose of hunting or scouting any wild animal in S.C., any substance or material that contains or purports to contain any excretion collected from a cervid (deer) including urine, feces, blood, gland oil, or other bodily fluid. This does not prohibit the use of synthetic products or substances collected by a hunter from a deer legally harvested in S.C."
The alert goes on to state some of the reasoning for this, which is sound science. Let's face it, natural deer urine is collected from captive deer herds that are within fences. If any of these deer are infected with CWD, it is likely its urine or other bodily fluids will become mixed with the others, thus increasing the chance of spreading the disease.
CWD is a devastating disease that has attacked vigorously herds of elk and deer all across the nation. Some hot beds of the disease have been discovered in Wisconsin and Illinois among others. And while little is known about the disease, this is known; "CWD is a transmissible or contagious, always fatal, neurological disease."
Already there is an outcry from hunters within SC who have already purchased deer urine for the upcoming season. Some are crying for refunds, others are dismissing this action by the SCDNR as crying wolf. Most of those who are in such a camp are not concerned about the overall health of the deer herd in SC, rather they just want to kill deer when and how they want.
CWD is a disease that is confusing science in some ways, the spread is somewhat a mystery, other than the fact that it is highly contagious among deer. How is it transferred is believed to be through bodily fluids. Saliva, urine, feces, and sexual secretions. This knowledge has led to states with CWD to take some drastic measures to attempt to stop or prevent the spread of the disease.
Recently, Michigan, a state with a long history of legal b
aiting for deer, banned all baiting for deer within the state in an attempt to stop the disease. The thought is that bait congregates deer to specific areas, and the bait can become contaminated from one deer, and spread within the herd. Other states are considering this measure as well.
Will the SCDNR go that far in the coming years? It is a possibility for sure, this first step into preventing the spread of the disease through the legislation of urine and other bodily fluids that are natural is a step in the right direction. Let's face it, we killed deer long before it became popular to use deer urine and sexual attractants. We can again.
Personally, I seldom use any deer scents while deer hunting. Other than the fox pee on my boot while walking into my stand, I have never seen any benefit from the deer urine and other scents as an attractant. I know others have, and they will have to adapt.
I support and applaud the SCDNR for taking these measures to attempt to try and prevent this disease from ever reaching our borders. Let's hope all ethical hunters abide by these rules and support the stance of the SCDNR.
If you want to read the story in its entirety, follow the link here to the release.
