Dear, Deer

Well, DNR's managed to drop $26 million and get nowhere.

A nearly five-year-long, $26.8 million campaign that has failed to control the spread of chronic wasting disease is forcing the state Department of Natural Resources to revamp its strategy.

Chronic wasting disease is centered in a region west of Madison in portions of Dane and Iowa counties. But pockets have been found across southern Wisconsin, including northern Walworth County.

The assessment of wildlife health experts who believe these "sparks" of infection must be eliminated before they get bigger continues to concern the DNR; so does the potential devastation of a cultural tradition and economic contributor to the state.

A new concern is a study published this month by the University of Georgia that provides the best evidence to date that the brain-destroying illness is spread through saliva, meaning that high concentrations of deer could fan the disease.

Deer? Swapping spit? How's that go...Kiss the deer and make him die...?