anthony.costa82

Saw the below on a NY hunting community page. DEC is accepting public comment until September 1st. http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html Dear Fellow Hunter, We need your help. The state of New York is accepting public comment on a Draft CWD Risk Minimization Plan until September 1st. Part of this draft includes a ban on urine based scents: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced the release of a draft New York State Interagency CWD Risk Minimization Plan. The proposed regulatory changes and actions outlined in the draft plan includes: “Action 1.1.2: DEC will amend 6 NYCRR Part 189 to prohibit retail sale, and possession, use, and distribution while afield of the urine, glands, or other excreted substances or products containing the urine or excreted substances from any CWD‐susceptible animal for any purpose.” The science does not support banning urine based scents. The risk of urine based scents spreading CWD is virtually zero. We take the threat of CWD very seriously, and support action to stop the spread of CWD. While we do not oppose most of what the draft entails, we strongly oppose banning or prohibiting retail sale, possession, use, and distribution of urine based scents. None of the studies referenced in the State Interagency CWD Risk Minimization Plan demonstrate a risk of commercially available urine based scents. Of the 4 studies referenced in the draft plan, two do not involve urine and one failed to show any transmission with urine. The 4th one used urine that was concentrated 10 fold, collected from clinically sick deer, injected directly into the brains of transgenic mice, and still only 1 of 10 subjects proved infected. Only under extremely unnatural experimental conditions was urine able to transmit CWD. The lead author of that study referenced in the draft plan, says the risk of commercially available urine based scents contributing to the spread of CWD is virtually zero. Furthermore, nearly all of the commercially available scents sold are from companies that continuously monitor their herds for CWD and participate in the Archery Trade Association Deer Protection Plan, ensuring an even higher level safety. Urine based scents are an important part of our hunting tradition and an important management tool for hunters. The ability to use urine based scents in the state of New York will be taken away if enough people don’t send in their comments opposing this ban. We need everyone’s help to stop this. Every individual who sends in their comments can make a difference. Please take a few moments to send your comments opposing this ban, by email or mail to the following: Attention: DEC is now accepting public comment on a Draft CWD Risk Minimization Plan. Submit your comments by September 1, 2017 by sending an email ([email protected]) or by writing to NYSDEC, Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 Thank you for your time and help on this important issue, Additional information and the draft plan may be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html. Written comments on the draft plan are invited and will be accepted through September 1, 2017. Details regarding the process for providing input may be found in the DEC press release at: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/bulletins/1ae5836 Feel free to use the following suggested comment, or create your own. Suggested comment: Subject: New York State Interagency CWD Risk Minimization Plan To whom it may concern, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft of the New York State Interagency CWD Risk Minimization Plan. I care greatly about deer and the sport of hunting. I recognize the threat of CWD and support actions to stop or slow the spread. However I strongly disagree with banning or prohibiting retail sale, possession, use, and distribution of urine based scents. As referenced in Action 1.1.2 of the Draft. Urine based scents are a safe, effective, and important part of our hunting tradition and an important deer management tool for New York hunters. Banning these products will have a large negative impact on hunting. Please do not ban/prohibit urine based scents. Thank you for your time and consideration, Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk