Solution for more bucks

[Eric_Sieve]

That is one hell of an idea my friend...something to definately think about!~

[muskybuck]

Eric, Yes Buddy, CWD has spread to humans.

[BLACKJACK]

Muskybuck, I don't think that there has been any documented cases of CWD spreading to humans. CWD has been prevalent in NE Colorado for 30 years, people have been shooting and eating deer, and no humans have been proven to get CWD. Right away when the CWD scare came out, my wife quit eating venison, I did some research and proved to her that its never been spread to humans. Now she eats venison and likes it.

I can feel you pain about hunting in a CWD area. But part of your problem is that you believe it can be spread to humans. It can't.

[huskminn]

There is currently no documented case of a human contracting CWD or a variation thereof from an infected deer or elk. The scientific evidence is just not there--yet.

Mad Cow or new-varient CJD is the only clinically documented spongioform encephalopathy that has jumped to the human specie from an animal host. There are reports that the consumption of encephalopathy-infected monkey brains and/or possibly squirrel brains may have killed a few people, but those cases are far and few between and have been difficult to document.

Around a hundred people in America die every year from CJD (not "new-variant"!), but the cause of this disease isn't completely known. Could these people have somehow contracted a species-jumping encephalopathy without anyone realizing it? I think it's possible. The medical community doesn't.

The bottom line is that, for now, CWD remains more of a threat to deer populations than human populations. However, mad cow disease jumped species from sheep (scrapie), so there is no telling if/when CWD might jump species and show up in another animal, including possibly humans.

I think it's critical to eliminate baiting and feeding deer, as CWD spreads from close contact or contact with feces from an infected deer. If a deer is taken in a CWD area, it should be boned out during processing and the spine and other bones should never be cut or sawed. Remember: you can't kill the infected prions. High heat, bleach, soap, etc. have absolutely no effect on CWD. The only way to stop its spread is by having no contact with it whatsoever.

After all this wonderful news, rest assured that you've got a better chance of winning the lottery than you do of coming into contact with CWD tainted venison. Enjoy those venison chops!

[muskybuck]

Lets just say your right. Would you eat it or hunt where it might be. Come on over and give it a shot.

[huskminn]

The deer in my freezer is from an area of South Dakota that has had a higher incidence of CWD than anywhere in Wisconsin. I am leaving on Saturday to go back there for another hunt.

I do think about CWD and I have made an effort to learn about it and similar diseases so I can make an educated decision about deer hunting. I think many DNR and Game & Fish departments have done a tremendous diservice to the general public by telling people to clean their knives, etc. in bleach and wear long gloves while field dressing deer. If there is a danger of CWD, none of that matters. You can't kill it! It's not a bacteria or a virus--not even radiation can kill it.

This year, the deer I kill in SD will be tested by the state for CWD, so I will know for certain that whether or not it is a "clean" deer.

[Eric_Sieve]

MuskyBuck....no buddy, like I said it has not....I would, I don't like brain or spinal chord....CWD is not a virus or anything it is a PROTIEN (less than a virus) that inhibits the brain and causes damage....

[muskybuck]

What you are making is an "educated guess". Did you say anywhere in WI???? Better read up some more.

[Eric_Sieve]

No, what I am making is a factual statement based on READING and RESEARCH and a lot of Outdoor life/field and stream. The point you are making is based purely on overhyped information....maybe YOU should do some reading....

[huskminn]

Muskybuck,

You're right. I did check and found that in WI's most heavily tested area, 107 cases of CWD were found. That is more than have been found in South Dakota. South Dakota has not tested nearly as many animals, however.

Good catch.