Originally posted by kjheiter
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From what I understand CTC is a antibiotic that strengthens the immune system to help keep the deer alive when the spores are inhaled / ingested, apparently "healthy" deer can fight off the effects from anthrax. I too have researched a fair amount and not seen much on it. The only way I have found to get it to the deer is in the pellets mixed from the mill. I would prefer to mix myself for better control, the issue I run into is buying bulk pellets and having to get 10 tons at a time and then run into issue with the 60 day withdraw period for human consumption. That and I don't like feeding wild deer antibiotics because it can create bacteria / virus that are resistant to antibiotics and it just seems weird / unnatural.
I went to the seminar in Sonora and there were several biologist from A&M there saying that there has been no research done in relationship to CTC preventing loss from anthrax but I have spoken to several folks in the Brackettville area that say it works wonders and what i saw this year with neighboring ranches all HF in the same geological area tells me it must work. The same A&M guys also said it is illegal (by the Center for Disease Control, I think) to feed CTC to wild deer until there is a confirmed case on your property but by that time it's too late and I am told vets who know the area will prescribe it before hand anyways. A&M is working on a vaccine similar to the livestock vaccine that is given by a shot but i think the snag is the delivery method for wildlife. Sounds like it is years off from being available to the public.
I am curious as to why TPWD has not done more / any research on this when it appears to be a ton of money spent on CWD and anthrax seems to be the bigger issue, IMO.
We are working on re-stocking with some TTT doe, going against me being determined to grow big deer with out bringing in pen deer, TTT, DMP or any of that stuff. I wanted to do it with native genetics. But i am not going to sit around not have a hunt-able herd for the next 5 to 8 years, over to the dark side I go.
Not an expert by any means, just what i have learned over the past couple of years and hope I can prevent this in the future as it is heartbreaking to say the least.
I went to the seminar in Sonora and there were several biologist from A&M there saying that there has been no research done in relationship to CTC preventing loss from anthrax but I have spoken to several folks in the Brackettville area that say it works wonders and what i saw this year with neighboring ranches all HF in the same geological area tells me it must work. The same A&M guys also said it is illegal (by the Center for Disease Control, I think) to feed CTC to wild deer until there is a confirmed case on your property but by that time it's too late and I am told vets who know the area will prescribe it before hand anyways. A&M is working on a vaccine similar to the livestock vaccine that is given by a shot but i think the snag is the delivery method for wildlife. Sounds like it is years off from being available to the public.
I am curious as to why TPWD has not done more / any research on this when it appears to be a ton of money spent on CWD and anthrax seems to be the bigger issue, IMO.
We are working on re-stocking with some TTT doe, going against me being determined to grow big deer with out bringing in pen deer, TTT, DMP or any of that stuff. I wanted to do it with native genetics. But i am not going to sit around not have a hunt-able herd for the next 5 to 8 years, over to the dark side I go.
Not an expert by any means, just what i have learned over the past couple of years and hope I can prevent this in the future as it is heartbreaking to say the least.
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