The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is making available up to $3.5 million for state and tribal governments to carry out research and management activities to help combat chronic wasting disease (CWD) in farmed and wild deer and elk population.

State departments of agriculture, state animal health agencies, state departments of wildlife or natural resources, and tribes are eligible to submit funding proposals that further develop and implement CWD management, response and research activities including surveillance and testing.

The funding can also be used to support education and outreach activities to increase awareness about the disease and how it spreads.

The U.S. Department will give priority to states & tribes that have already detected CWD and implemented CWD monitoring and surveillance programs.

CWD has spread widely and the limited number of tools, as well as their effectiveness, impacts the ability to effectively control the disease.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently held a virtual summit with state agricultural and wildlife representatives, tribal officials and the cervid industry to discuss and develop funding priorities.

Proposals may range from $50,000 to $250,000 per eligible entity. Applications will be reviewed and funding decisions will be announced by the end of September.

These cooperative agreements opportunities will allow for state departments of agriculture, state animal health agencies, state departments of wildlife or natural resources and tribes to further develop and implement CWD management and response activities.

Many sportsmen believe the $3.5 million can go to better use by using it to help find a cure for CWD instead of using it for just detection and awareness of this disease.

ELK ON CAMERA!

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has installed a camera on state game lands, in a field that typically is a hub of elk activity as the bugling season heats up. Video and sound from the camera are being live-streamed, and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkeys, deer and other wildlife as well.

Go to their website: www.pgc.pa.gov and look for “Elk Cam Goes Live.”

Jack Danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.