Carta Valley Anthrax

[Howard]

This is our 9th or 10th year here...have put out the meds in feed twice a year etc...

have deer falling this week out of the blue Our last two trophy bucks we purchased and turned lose as fawns are dead 5.5 years old now this week. Both monsters last year.....hopefully spread plenty of genes. 3 deer found dead in yard by ranch hand in last 2 days ---- dont even want to know how many may be out there now on the 1k acreage if these are just the ones in yard area.

Biologist is suppose to be there today to check it out. Told us to start piling and burning them

Any one else in area seeing this? Was heading up this weekend to try to get son and dad on axis...dont even know if safe or if axis can even get it...lots of research to do.

[150class]

Dang that’s awful to hear! Always enjoyed you’re live hunt threads...


Unfortunately it sounds like the exposure is really bad this year. Especially compared to the one a few years ago.... Hoping your deer hear isn’t decimated...

[Archery1st]

This is our 9th or 10th year here...have put out the meds in feed twice a year etc...

have deer falling this week out of the blue Our last two trophy bucks we purchased and turned lose as fawns are dead 5.5 years old now this week. Both monsters last year.....hopefully spread plenty of genes. 3 deer found dead in yard by ranch hand in last 2 days ---- dont even want to know how many may be out there now on the 1k acreage if these are just the ones in yard area.

Biologist is suppose to be there today to check it out. Told us to start piling and burning them

Any one else in area seeing this? Was heading up this weekend to try to get son and dad on axis...dont even know if safe or if axis can even get it...lots of research to do.

Ain't NO FIGGEN WAY! I would strongly recommend you only move fresh dead animals or those that are already completely dried out and then only with a tractor bucket.

Way too much risk to mess with Anthrax!

[Howard]

Ain't NO FIGGEN WAY! I would strongly recommend you only move fresh dead animals or those that are already completely dried out and then only with a tractor bucket.

Way too much risk to mess with Anthrax!

see thats what I dont even know anything about it. Like do we still even go up there or wait I aint scared but dont want to be stupid neither.....

I dont even know like if only some will die, maybe meds we do every year helps, or not at all or do others have it and die weeks later...is our season already over...is there any deer left.. I have a lot of research to do!

my wife is like....yall dont need to be going and no deer meat this year in this house

[Howard]

Wildlife Diseases
Anthrax???
Background

Anthrax is an endemic bacteria disease in Texas typically found in portions of Crockett, Val Verde, Sutton, Edwards, Kinney and Maverick Counties. It is infectious to all mammals, including humans, and is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The disease is almost always fatal in deer and livestock. In humans, anthrax is treatable at early stages with antibiotics, but it CAN BE FATAL if it is not treated. Livestock can be vaccinated; producers in anthrax-endemic counties typically vaccinate. Humans can be vaccinated; however, vaccination is not typically recommended unless individuals are at high risk of infection (military personnel stationed in the Middle-east where anthrax could be used as a biological weapon).

Common sense is your best ally in dealing with anthrax. If you locate a live animal or carcass and suspect anthrax, do not touch it. If you do not know what you are doing, find someone who does. Texas Animal Health Commission can provide information on animal cases. Texas Department of Health provides information on human cases.

There are three types of infections possible in humans: (1) cutaneous (skin), (2) inhalational (lungs), and (3) gastro-intestinal (stomach).

Cutaneous anthrax is the most common form of the disease and may result from contact with infected materials (especially body fluids from an infected carcass). Infection is more likely if you have open wounds on your skin. After an incubation period of 1 to 10 days, there will be a blister-like lesion at the site of infection that eventually turns black. Cutaneous anthrax is readily treatable (even if lesions are apparent) with antibiotics. If personnel have been exposed and develop this type of lesion, they should seek medical attention immediately.

Inhalational anthrax is less likely to occur, but is more serious. After incubation (1 - 10 days), the individual may exhibit flu-like symptoms (fever, tiredness, cough, chest pain). Inhalational anthrax progresses very quickly; without early treatment it is fatal. If personnel have been exposed and develop any of these symptoms, they must seek medical attention immediately.

Gastro-intestinal anthrax results from consuming undercooked meat from an infected animal. This type of anthrax is extremely rare. Typical symptoms include gastro-intestinal distress (stomach ache/cramping, etc.).

Anthrax bacteria reside in the soil in many regions of Texas, but epizootics are more frequent in the counties mentioned above. During the warm summer months, when there are rapid changes in climatic conditions (alternating periods of rain and drought), spores of the bacterium can be found at the soil surface and on low-level vegetation where they are readily available for ingestion by livestock/wildlife. The incubation period is between 1 and 10 days. After the onset of clinical signs, livestock/wildlife die very rapidly, in as little as 3-4 hours. Clinical signs include depression, lethargy, and staggering; animals may try to get to water. Live animals often are not found. The first indication of an outbreak on an individual property typically is when carcasses are located. Often, the carcass will appear to be from an otherwise healthy-looking animal (no signs of prolonged illness).

What To Do...

If you locate a carcass (or animal displaying clinical symptoms), do not touch or move it. Under no circumstances should you attempt a necropsy.
Make a determination (to the best of your ability) of how fresh the carcass is.
Contact the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC, numbers listed below) for further instructions. If possible, they will send a veterinarian to collect a sample for laboratory confirmation. The carcass will then need to be burned in place.

[Archery1st]

see thats what I dont even know anything about it. Like do we still even go up there or wait I aint scared but dont want to be stupid neither.....

I dont even know like if only some will die, maybe meds we do every year helps, or not at all or do others have it and die weeks later...is our season already over...is there any deer left.. I have a lot of research to do!

my wife is like....yall dont need to be going and no deer meat this year in this house

My personal feeling from what I have seen...medicated feeds "may" help.

Deer can contract Anthrax and survive it and if so I believe they build up an immunity to it. However mother nature is mother nature and in the grand scheme of things - nothing you can do.

Anthrax outbreaks are typically caused when you have very wet weather followed by very hot and dry weather.

Me personally I will move a fresh dead animal or one completely dried out if I have to...example dead in a feed pen. Take extra precaution not to inhale any dust you may stir up.

For that same reason - I'm not burning it and taking a chance on inhaling it if the wind shifts.

But outside of that - I ain't touching it.

Any deer that make it to September are fine...I have never seen it past August.

[Howard]

Thanks for info....

[Raleigh]

man that is just plain awful. I know the feeling. We were hit by a number of years ago just south of Ozona. Wiped out almost the entire heard.

[Gary Roberson]

Since I can remember, Carta Valley has been the Capital of Anthrax. This year, I am hearing reports from Rancher friends east of Sonora and south of Ozona that have already lost livestock. With no relief in sight, I am afraid this outbreak is going to get worse before it gets better. I am not aware of any cases in Menard County at this time.
Adios,
gary

[150class]

Man.

Facebook pages have been blowing up with reports. TPWD threw out a warning a couple weeks ago on a few confirmed cases but it looks like this is going to be way worse then what we are hearing.

2 different groups reported they are looking for another lease because their’s are decimated and I can’t even count how many others have reported they are affected. Will be interesting to see how bad this is in another month or so

[Jen-Man]

The only place I’m hearing about it is on here and FB. Seems it should be news worthy.


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[Jen-Man]

More info from tags.

https://www.drovers.com/article/tahc-updates-texas-anthrax-situation

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[Mexico]

Sorry to hear this, dang that's frustrating and sad at the same time. Hope you guys recover quickly. I enjoy your live threads!

[Sticks&Strings]

I've heard to move, wear a face mask and body suit. Move with front end loader and bury and burn.

Axis can and will get it. Hogs will too, but usually not fatal to them. Once its passed, its passed. Never heard of the meat being bad during deer season after outbreak is over.

Are yall running livestock? I'd consider turning off all feeders as they get it from the dirt. Keep their noses off the ground and in the browse to minimize loss.

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[Howard]

there are cattle on the property. We have never run corn feeders until almost season out of fear of this. Rancher doesnt allow corn on ground till September. We have protein stations and large bulk feeders going rest of year (now).

I think Im for sure going up this weekend even if just me.... cant stand thought of not looking around property and checking things out more. Dont imagine any reason to move any unless in pens, etc... can use tractor bucket or bobcat bucket.

everything I read sounds like if fine come season time, then they are probably fine. Next couple weeks will be crucial to see what we really lose sounds like