Vernon County, Wisconsin to ban archery season in 2017

Due to a recently discovered disease in the local whitetail deer population the department of natural resources have enacted a ban on the 2017 archery season. The firearms season may be cancelled as well. A decision will be announced by the end of July. Tissue samples taken from 14 deer tested positive in organs and muscle tissues. The disease is being studied at the University of Wisconsin and the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta Georgia. Scientist believe the disease could spread to humans of they eat the meat of infected animals. All deer in the state that are killed in vehicle collisions are being tested and a plan to deploy sharpshooters in Vernon and neighboring counties to sample additional animals is being considered over the following weeks. The virus has not been identified yet but scientists believe it may be transmitted by deer ticks which also carry lyme disease. People are advised to wear long sleeved shirts, full length pants and bug repellant when entering the woods or areas with long grass and check themselves for ticks after entering those areas. Further details will be released as they become available.