While hunters and the hunting industry continue to deal with new rules and regs relating to the latest research of Chronic Wasting Disease and its impact on big game populations, two industry companies have partnered together to help diffuse concerns about CWD in their products. Wildlife Research Center and Tink’s, two leading manufacturers of quality hunting scents, have partnered together to fund a study with CWD Evolution LLC, which has now led to a CWD testing protocol known as the RT-QuIC test process. The process is specifically designed for testing deer urine for CWD contamination, which allows manufacturers of deer and elk scents to test and verify that no CWD is detected in the urine used in their products.
“While the risk of urine-based scents spreading CWD is virtually zero, there is a lot of false and misleading information driving policy and regulations regarding urine-based scents and CWD,” the companies said in a joint release. “Unfortunately for hunters, some states have acted on this bad information and actually banned the use of urine-based scents. This test verifies that no detectable levels of CWD are found and provides a final confirmation that the products are safe for use and without risk of spreading CWD.”
“We sought out the most recognized authorities regarding CWD transmission via urine to get their opinion,” said Phil Robinson of Tink’s. “These scientists also happen to be the lead authors of the most commonly misinterpreted studies cited when a urine ban has been put in effect. We are 100-percent confident that our products pose no risk of spreading CWD. This test is just a confirmation of that fact.”
“Our industry is committed to the health of wild cervids and the sport of hunting,” said Sam Burgeson of Wildlife Research Center. This [new test process] is a breakthrough for our industry and for all the loyal hunters who use our products. This test confirms what we already know, and provides a clear and simple tool to keep rule makers from taking this important tradition and tool away from hunters.”
Tink’s and Wildlife Research Center have already begun testing their urine in 2019, and others will be soon to follow. Beginning in 2020, bottles will carry the “RT-QuIC Tested” logo on their labels for easy identification.
