Anyone ever receive a test tube kit from the G&F for brucellosis? The one I received is for elk. The G&F states they're working in conjunction with the USDA. Makes me nervous to send in a blood sample. The State could care less about elk when it comes to cattle. Seems like up in Pinedale a number of years ago they were killing elk that had tested positive for brucellosis. If the thing came back positive wondering if they would want to come in and start eradicating elk in my area which would probably mean fewer tags afterwards? Any thoughts.
Brucellosis Testing for Elk
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libidilatimmy
Veteran member
I know they've been testing for it for a while now, but I wasn't aware they were sending out test vials to sportsman. I've seen them pull samples at check stations before around feed ground areas. I see how it's a moral dilemma, if they get a bunch of positive samples back from an area that has current grazing leases for cattle, will they try to eliminate the elk population or will they pull the grazing permits from the ranchers?
Againstthewind
Very Active Member
I got one in the mail the other day, too. In the Big Horns there has been a cooler that you can pick up a sample kit and drop it in the cooler to get picked up.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/cattle/downloads/cattle-bison.pdf
http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/bisonmgnt.htm
That is a good point to bring up if they will start to kill of animals, vaccinate, or quarantine them.
I think a lot of the sampling is so that Wyoming can maintain its brucellosis free label outside of the park. Its hard on elk and bison, too not just cattle. Elk and bison will also abort calves and possible become infertile, which is not good for herd numbers either. So really the sampling is a good thing, I think. I guess its up to you, but if they find some disease early enough, they might be able to limit it to a few animals instead of a huge epidemic on all of the feedgrounds and everywhere they come to feed.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/cattle/downloads/cattle-bison.pdf
http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/bisonmgnt.htm
That is a good point to bring up if they will start to kill of animals, vaccinate, or quarantine them.
I think a lot of the sampling is so that Wyoming can maintain its brucellosis free label outside of the park. Its hard on elk and bison, too not just cattle. Elk and bison will also abort calves and possible become infertile, which is not good for herd numbers either. So really the sampling is a good thing, I think. I guess its up to you, but if they find some disease early enough, they might be able to limit it to a few animals instead of a huge epidemic on all of the feedgrounds and everywhere they come to feed.
Elkoholic307
Banned
G&F has sent me 3 kits already this year. They found that a couple elk in 40 tested positive 2 years ago so now they're really cracking down. Againstthewind is right, calves can be aborted from it so I always fill the tube on drop it in the cooler on the way out. I love me some Area 40 and want nothing but the best for that herd. On the other hand, I hadn't thought of the Dept. eradicating them. So, now I don't know what to do!