W. Va. says no to ban on deer urine

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A West Virginia Division of Natural Resources official says the agency isn’t considering a ban on urine-based scents to control chronic wasting disease.

Other states have decided to ban hunters from using of urine-based scents to attract deer. Their reasoning is based on recent findings that prions, the proteins that cause chronic wasting disease, can be transferred through deer urine and feces.

But DNR Assistant Wildlife Chief Paul Johansen says the state isn’t considering a ban.

The disease was found in Hampshire County in 2005, and the DNR has been trying to prevent it from spreading.

Chronic wasting disease is found in deer and elk. There is no evidence to suggest that it poses a risk to humans or domestic animals.