The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and local fish and game clubs are sponsoring public informational meetings on Chronic Wasting Disease which the department says poses a serious threat to Vermont’s deer herd.

Chronic Wasting Disease infects white-tailed deer, moose and other members of the deer family and has been spreading across the United States and, more recently, has been documented in Quebec.

The meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are scheduled as follows:

January 24, Newport – North Country Career Center, 209 Veterans Ave, Newport, VT 05855

Hosted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Conservation Group with light refreshments provided free.

January 31, Barre – Barre Fish and Game Club, Gun Club Rd, Barre, VT 05641

Hosted by the Barre Fish and Game Club with light refreshments provided free.

Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Walter Cottrell will speak about the disease, how it is spread, its effects on deer populations, and efforts needed to keep the disease from entering Vermont. Dr. Cottrell will describe how the disease has impacted deer, elk and moose in North America, as well his first-hand experiences with the disease when he was a wildlife veterinarian for the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

“Chronic Wasting Disease is the most serious threat to Vermont’s wild deer herd and our state’s tradition of deer hunting,” said Nick Fortin, Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s deer biologist. “We are proudly partnering with local fish and game clubs to inform Vermonters about what is at stake with this disease and what is being done to prevent it.”

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Media Contacts: Nick Fortin 802-786-3860; Commissioner Louis Porter 828-1454