My opinion here in Pa is it must be a significant contributor. In more ways than being only a disease factor.
I know we have more than enough good covers. I know the hunting pressure on them has dropped. Not only in the number of hunters, but the season has also been shortened by 3 weeks. Later I can post a video of why, the GC scientist studying them makes the case for disease.
My main concern is that populations in most areas have gone so low that natural repopulation may be unlikely.
You need Birds to make a Dog…and you need more than a few Birds to bring Birds back. Read in another report were some fear they have completely “winked out” in some places.
Some go down the path thinking they never could never completely wink out. That’s been proven wrong more than once.
That is my belief here as well. Sad.
eta: Given enough time, natural repopulation may happen, but not in any adult's remaining lifetime.
