Three white-tailed deer groom in a southeastern Wisconsin clearing in early summer 2015. Credit: Paul A. Smith

Two white-tailed deer that escaped last year and spent months outside an Eau Claire County deer farm were found to have chronic wasting disease, according to information recently obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

The bucks each spent more than five months roaming the rural area around Fairchild before being shot and tested.

The escaped, CWD-positive animals have greatly increased the risk of disease in the area's wild deer, said Dave Clausen of Amery, a retired veterinarian and former chairman of the state Natural Resources Board.

"Those (CWD-positive) deer likely contaminated and spread prion across the landscape," Clausen said. "Basically it demonstrates a single fence is not much protection for wild deer."

The two CWD-positive deer escaped May 2 from Fairchild Whitetails, a deer farm owned by Rick Vojtik.

But the farm didn't garner headlines until June when a CWD-positive doe was found on the property.

In September, more animals escaped while the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection was working on a plan to depopulate the facility. Fairchild Whitetails had 228 deer in a 10-acre enclosure, according to the department; 33 tested positive for CWD, a fatal disease of deer, elk and moose.

Vojtik eventually received an indemnity payment of $298,770 when the deer were killed last fall by state and federal agents. The money was taken from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's general program revenue funded by Wisconsin taxpayers.

But no public official reported CWD-positive deer from Vojtik's farm had been found outside the facility.

Last week, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection representatives responded to questions from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about CWD testing on the escaped animals.

The CWD-positive bucks were among 21 deer that escaped last May when a tree fell on the fence surrounding the facility, according to the agency.

All but five animals were returned to the pen. Two bucks and one doe were shot outside the facility and tested negative for CWD.

But the other two — both males about 11/2 years old — tested positive for the disease. One was killed Oct. 6, the other Nov. 24.

The deer shot Oct. 6 was killed about 1 mile from the breeding pen. The agency did not have information on where the other animal was killed. The buck had the potential to travel many miles during the rut, which typically peaks in early to mid-November.

The disease finding on Vojtik's farm triggered a deer baiting and feeding ban in Eau Claire, Clark and Jackson counties.

To date, no wild deer in Eau Claire or surrounding counties has tested positive for CWD.

Clausen said it will "be a miracle" if CWD isn't found in wild deer in Eau Claire County in the coming years.

"State officials are falling well short on their responsibilities, both to provide the public with information on these disease findings and on any efforts to stop it from spreading," Clausen said.

Railroad crossing bill:Assembly Bill 876, legislation to allow anglers, hunters and other pedestrians to legally cross railroad tracks, will get a public hearing Thursday in Madison.

The bill will be heard by the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Room 328 Northwest, at the Capitol.

The bill was authored by Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby). Representatives Robert Brooks (R-Saukville), Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), Bob Kulp (R-Stratford), Ken Skowronski (R-Franklin) and Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) signed on as co-sponsors in the Assembly.

In the Senate, it is co-sponsored by Senators Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), Mark Miller (D-Monona), Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater) and Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield).

The legislation was drafted in an attempt to improve public access to areas along the Mississippi River and other public properties bounded by railroad tracks. A 2006 state law made it illegal for pedestrians to cross railroad tracks at spots other than official crossings.

This winter anglers attempting to access traditional fishing areas on the Mississippi River have been stopped by a railroad police officer hired by Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Assembly Bill 876 would allow pedestrians to directly cross railroad tracks. Under current state law, such crossing is illegal and subject to a charge for criminal trespass.

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and La Crosse County Conservation Alliance have announced their support for the bill.

Ice fishing clinics: Youth ages 15 and younger in southeastern Wisconsin are invited to discover ice fishing on Saturday at the 25th annual Kids' Ice Fishing Clinics.

The free clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at six park lagoons in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

Participants will receive instruction on ice fishing equipment and techniques, such as knot tying and jig fishing, as well as ice safety. The clinics are led by members of local fishing clubs and last 45 minutes, and then the young anglers can begin fishing. Classes are held on the hour starting at 9 a.m., with the final session beginning at 2 p.m.

The clinics are a cooperative effort of the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, Milwaukee County Parks, Waukesha County Parks, the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery and the Department of Natural Resources.

All equipment and snacks are provided free of charge and instruction will be given regardless of weather. No preregistration is required.

ICE FISHING CLINICS

Here are the locations and sponsoring fishing clubs for the 25th annual Kids' Ice Fishing Clinics:

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Brown Deer Park: 7835 N. Green Bay Road, hosted by Okauchee Fishing Club.

Dineen Park: 6901 W. Vienna St., hosted by the Inner City Sportsmen's Club and Wisconsin Fishing Club.

Humboldt Park: 3000 S. Howell Ave., hosted by Great Lakes Sport Fishermen and Milwaukee Casting Club.

McCarty Park: 8214 W. Cleveland Ave., hosted by Southside Sportsmen Club.

Scout Lake: 5902 W. Loomis Road, (wheelchair accessible) hosted by Walleyes Unlimited.

WAUKESHA COUNTY

Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry: Townline Road (1/2 mile north of Good Hope Road, Menomonee Falls), hosted by Badger Fishermen's League.