Reality of CWD...
 

Being in the northeast, we don't have any deer infected with Chronic Wasting Disease yet (emphasize yet). What is the reality of how this disease effects the manner in which we process a harvested deer?

Thanks,

Dan

RE: Reality of CWD...
 

Well, I'm from Wisconsin, and I hunt in the HRZ zones, which are just outside of the so-called CWD "Hot Zones" or "Eradication Zones". Food pantries won't take deer from HRZ or ERZ areas, so you can't donate meat to the Help the hungry programs and such. Most deer processers wouldn't take deer from those areas; however, I think most now will, as long as the meat is deboned. Basically, the DNR says if you do it yourself, avoid the brain, eyes, liver,spinal cordand lymph nodes. No biggie. Not tough. We really didn't change the way we process our deer at home at all. Right away there was a big scare, but people realized it wasn't a threat to humans and we've just had to modify some rules at meat lockers.

slayer

RE: Reality of CWD...
 

Not a real problem yet in the Dakota's. If the deer looks real healthy, I don't give it a thought. Not a sure thing but a good indicator.

RE: Reality of CWD...
 

ny now has several cases of cwd reported in oneida county. these cases are all farm raised deer and at this time has not spread outside of the enclosed area but... steps have been taken such as pulling deer attractant feeds from stores in that particular area and general meeting's to answer questions. as of now where i hunt(cayaga county) still has no reported cases but i am sure over time that will change.

RE: Reality of CWD...
 

I've wondered why the states didn't outlaw the transportation of heads (for taxidermy) to other states. Seems like the prions would be scattered every time a deer's antlers were cut off..........It seems it would be a more likely way of dispersement than the hauling of live deer..........

RE: Reality of CWD...
 

it's a way scarey thought but thankfully florida hasn't seen any cases yet...at least not to my knowledge.
when we check in our deer the biologist will take the lymph nodes out to have them tested...they also ask for the deer head in order to test the brains but that's only if you want to donate it....y'all be careful.

RE: Reality of CWD...
 

Timber,

That's an interesting point. The cases of CWD that skinner is referring to in Oneida county in NY was caused by the fact that the guy who owns the property is a taxidermist. My understanding of the case(s) was that NY Fish and Wildlife gets this guy to rehabilitate wild deer that have been injured and they reintroduce them into the wild. As he doubles as a taxidermist, this is what caused the infection of the deer on his property. I didn't think he was a farmer per se. I could be wrong though as this information came to me second hand.

So if I understand it correctly, use gloves, dispose of all internal organs... everything else is cool.

Cheers,

Dan

RE: Reality of CWD...
 

I live in Ohio and im dreading for the first report of it.

RE: Reality of CWD...
 

I am from Sask, Canada and we have cases in some muley herds and elk herds. Their has never been any cases of humans getting cwd from eating infected game. While the agent that produces chronic wasting disease in deerand elk has not been positively identified, there is strong evidence to suggest that abnormally shaped proteins, called prions are responsible. Research completed to date indicate that the prions accumulate in certain parts of infected animals – the brain, eyes, spinal cord, lymph nodes, tonsils, and spleen. Based on these findings, hunters are recommended to not eat meat from animals known to be infected with CWD. Hunters in CWD areas are also advised to bone out their meat and to not consume those parts where prions likely accumulate.