In a recent move by the North Dakota Legislature, experts at the Game and Fish Department have been restricted in their ability to manage chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild deer herds. The bill passed forbids the department from implementing baiting bans on private property, a practice used to mitigate the spread of diseases in game populations. CWD, a fatal brain disease affecting deer and other cervids, spreads through close contact, making baiting a risky practice. Despite biologists advocating for bans to prevent close contact and slow the spread of CWD, a group of “MAGA hunters” successfully influenced legislators to prioritize property rights over public good. Critics argue that hunting over bait undermines the principles of fair chase and hinders scientific efforts to control CWD. With the removal of this tool, there is a heightened risk of CWD spreading faster in North Dakota, mirroring the challenges faced by other states with affected deer herds. This controversial decision reflects a growing distrust in expertise and science, posing potential threats to wildlife populations in the region.
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