CWD found in northern Illinois
11-12-2002 | 10:50 AM
#33
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Arena WI USA
RE: CWD found in northern Illinois
And now, if I hear one more jerk insinuate that it is OUR fault as hunters I'm going to friggin FLIP OUT<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>!!!!
11-19-2002 | 01:18 PM
#35
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Byron Illinois USA
RE: CWD found in northern Illinois
Rockford Register Star Special Report
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
Deer harvest 2002: A season of uncertainty
The third of a five-part series by Register Star outdoors writer Doug Goodman
Meat processors confident venison safe to eat
Northern Illinois meat processors have answered lots of phone calls this fall from customers concerned about their venison.
They're worried the meat may be tainted by the fatal deer ailment, called chronic wasting disease, that was documented for the first time in Illinois this month.
Their fear is unfounded, processors say, because researchers have found no cases of people being affected by eating venison in areas where the deer population is infected.
Michael Clancy/Rockford Register Star
Tim Reeverts drags a deer onto the kill floor at Eichman’s Processing plant in Seward Wednesday.
"We'll treat it with some extra precautions. ... But I'd be concerned about e-coli before chronic wasting disease," said Mike Eickman, president of Eickman's Processing in Seward.
He said processors will watch closely for possibly diseased deer brought in by hunters this fall.
"If it looks emaciated, we aren't going to take it," he said. "If it's not good enough for me to eat, we are not going to process it."
Processors also will take certain safety measure such as not cutting into bones or the spinal column except to remove the head.
"We're not cutting the bone at all. I'm skinning it, leaving everything intact, and pulling the meat off the bone," said Brian Spain, owner of Trade Rite Foods in Rockford.
"If they want the antlers, then that's the very last process. It's not even done in the building. It goes out the door and we use a special saw and knife."
As another precaution, venison is kept separate from other types of meat, Spain said.
Processors will send the deer bones to the landfill. Last week the federal government decided deer bones could no longer be ground into feed or fertilizer.
First case in Illinois?
The disease was initially found in Colorado in the 1960s and then slowly moved to other states. Research indicates it is likely passed by animal-to-animal contact.
Illinois' first documented case was a deer killed Oct. 23 near Roscoe.
Eickman and Spain believe the disease had been in Illinois before then but went undetected until wildlife officials began its testing program.
"When I get calls I tell people this is nothing new," Eickman said. "It's been around forever. ... This is not something that happened over night."
More venison donated
More hunters have been donating their deer during the archery season to charitable groups.
Based on early donations, Northern Illinois Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry is expecting three or four times as many deer this season, said coordinator Todd McLester.
Last year the group collected about 2,000 pounds of venison, which was distributed to area pantries by the Hunger Connection.
The rise in deer donations means the group has to find more cash to pay for processing the venison. It costs abut $50 per deer
"The deer just seem to come. Getting the money is more difficult," said McLester, who noted his organization receives financial assistance from state and local grants, churches and individuals.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
Deer harvest 2002: A season of uncertainty
The third of a five-part series by Register Star outdoors writer Doug Goodman
Meat processors confident venison safe to eat
Northern Illinois meat processors have answered lots of phone calls this fall from customers concerned about their venison.
They're worried the meat may be tainted by the fatal deer ailment, called chronic wasting disease, that was documented for the first time in Illinois this month.
Their fear is unfounded, processors say, because researchers have found no cases of people being affected by eating venison in areas where the deer population is infected.
Michael Clancy/Rockford Register Star
Tim Reeverts drags a deer onto the kill floor at Eichman’s Processing plant in Seward Wednesday.
"We'll treat it with some extra precautions. ... But I'd be concerned about e-coli before chronic wasting disease," said Mike Eickman, president of Eickman's Processing in Seward.
He said processors will watch closely for possibly diseased deer brought in by hunters this fall.
"If it looks emaciated, we aren't going to take it," he said. "If it's not good enough for me to eat, we are not going to process it."
Processors also will take certain safety measure such as not cutting into bones or the spinal column except to remove the head.
"We're not cutting the bone at all. I'm skinning it, leaving everything intact, and pulling the meat off the bone," said Brian Spain, owner of Trade Rite Foods in Rockford.
"If they want the antlers, then that's the very last process. It's not even done in the building. It goes out the door and we use a special saw and knife."
As another precaution, venison is kept separate from other types of meat, Spain said.
Processors will send the deer bones to the landfill. Last week the federal government decided deer bones could no longer be ground into feed or fertilizer.
First case in Illinois?
The disease was initially found in Colorado in the 1960s and then slowly moved to other states. Research indicates it is likely passed by animal-to-animal contact.
Illinois' first documented case was a deer killed Oct. 23 near Roscoe.
Eickman and Spain believe the disease had been in Illinois before then but went undetected until wildlife officials began its testing program.
"When I get calls I tell people this is nothing new," Eickman said. "It's been around forever. ... This is not something that happened over night."
More venison donated
More hunters have been donating their deer during the archery season to charitable groups.
Based on early donations, Northern Illinois Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry is expecting three or four times as many deer this season, said coordinator Todd McLester.
Last year the group collected about 2,000 pounds of venison, which was distributed to area pantries by the Hunger Connection.
The rise in deer donations means the group has to find more cash to pay for processing the venison. It costs abut $50 per deer
"The deer just seem to come. Getting the money is more difficult," said McLester, who noted his organization receives financial assistance from state and local grants, churches and individuals.
11-28-2002 | 12:29 AM
#36
Fork Horn
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: East Central Illinois.
RE: CWD found in northern Illinois
I spoke with a lady at my local DNR check station this past weekend who was there doing a DNA test on tissue samples, she said that CWD has ben around up north for over 20+ years & the "MEDIA" has it blown way out of proportion!! I don't think it's anything to really worry about.. I HOPE!!
