According to Eastland County Judge Rex Fields, the sheriff’s department and game wardens have launched an investigation after a dangerous pesticide was placed on a ranch south of Cisco. The area is located near the intersection of State Hwy 183 and county road 173. He said the venison from within this five mile circle should not be eaten. He is waiting on a press release to go out, but asked me to spread this information The chemical has the potential to kill a deer and spread to any other animals that might eat the deer.
Michael Hare from the Texas Agriculture Extension Office in Austin said that the ranch south of Cisco tried to kill wild hogs by mixing deer corn with a pesticide called Temik, which is a Neuro-Toxin. The rancher leasing the land spread a very large amount of mixed corn on their several thousand acre peanut crop to kill wild hogs, and it turns out that deer where feeding on the same ranch.
Hare said that they have found several dead deer along with other dead animals in the area including predators. He also advised that the poison is still on the ground at the ranch location.
“As an agency, we are advising people who live within a 3-4 mile radius of the area not to eat deer meat as a precaution, as we cannot guarantee its safety,” Hare said.
Hare said that several agencies are investigating and charges could be filed.
With the opening of deer season this weekend, any deer appearing sick or stumbling should be avoided.
