The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced yesterday that chronic wasting disease has been detected in a free-ranging deer in Bell Township, Clearfield County.

During a press conference Thursday, PGC Executive Director Bryan Burhans said that two methods will be used to reduce and test the deer population there: sharpshooters will take deer in the immediate vicinity where the diseased deer was found, and the commission will release 2,000 additional antlerless deer permits in that disease management area.

All harvested deer will be tested at drop-off locations which will be announced at a later date. Burhans called the new CWD threat "critical" to the health of the state's deer and elk herds, and called on hunters to help.