spectr17
09-30-2003, 01:48 AM
CWD tests offered for bow hunt
DOUG GOODMAN , Rockford Register Star
9/30/03
Frank H. Drabek killed two deer during last year's archery season in northwestern Winnebago County.
After processing the deer himself, Drabek and his family ate the venison without having it tested for chronic wasting disease.
"We were a little more careful when processing them," the Loves Park hunter said of precautions taken last season.
Drabek said he had no second-thoughts about consuming the meat because there's been no proven cases of CWD harming humans.
This year he and other area bow hunters will know for certain their venison is free of the fatal deer disease, which was discovered for the first time in Illinois last fall.
The Department of Natural Resources is offering free tests of hunter-killed deer taken during the archery season in areas where CWD has been found. Last year the free tests were available only to firearm hunters.
In addition to assuring hunters their venison is safe to eat, the test results will indicate if the disease is spreading in northern Illinois.
"I think it is a good idea," said Drabek, who plans to be in the field when the season opens Wednesday. "I'm not worried about people. I'm worried about the deer herd."
Archery hunters in Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Ogle and Winnebago counties may voluntarily provide samples from deer they harvest.
For the animals to be tested, hunters must remove the deer heads and a couple of neckbones. The heads must be kept cold until delivered to a collection site, where the hunter will get a card with a reference number.
After the tests are completed at the state labs, the reference numbers of the deer with negative results will be posted on the DNR Web site. Wildlife officials will contact any hunters with deer testing positive.
Tests for deer taken by bow hunters only will be available through the start of the firearms season.
This year the state plans to test 5,385 hunter-killed deer during the archery and firearms seasons along with some others taken as part of the DNR's sampling program. Last year 4,100 deer were tested.
As of the start of archery season, Illinois has recorded 14 CWD cases -- 12 in an area near Roscoe on the border of Winnebago and Boone counties and two in McHenry County.
Paul Shelton, the state DNR forest wildlife program manager, said his agency doesn't endorse the use of CWD kits being sold in sporting goods stores.
"As far as I know, there is nothing out there that is FDA approved," he said.
Shelton noted the FDA did approve one new test for use in state labs that is faster but more expensive. Wisconsin plans to use the faster test this season.
Tell us about your hunt
With the fall hunting season opening next week, the Register Star will start its Deer Harvest List next Sunday.
Register Star readers are invited to submit bucks or does they take during 2003-2004 hunting seasons for publication. The listing will be published Sundays through the season.
You can send information to Deer Harvest List, Sports Department, Register Star, 99 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104; call 815-987-1386 or 800-383-7827 or fax 815-987-1204; or e-mail to dgoodman@registerstartower.com
Turkey and deer hunters also are invited to send in photos of their harvest for possible publication.
DOUG GOODMAN , Rockford Register Star
9/30/03
Frank H. Drabek killed two deer during last year's archery season in northwestern Winnebago County.
After processing the deer himself, Drabek and his family ate the venison without having it tested for chronic wasting disease.
"We were a little more careful when processing them," the Loves Park hunter said of precautions taken last season.
Drabek said he had no second-thoughts about consuming the meat because there's been no proven cases of CWD harming humans.
This year he and other area bow hunters will know for certain their venison is free of the fatal deer disease, which was discovered for the first time in Illinois last fall.
The Department of Natural Resources is offering free tests of hunter-killed deer taken during the archery season in areas where CWD has been found. Last year the free tests were available only to firearm hunters.
In addition to assuring hunters their venison is safe to eat, the test results will indicate if the disease is spreading in northern Illinois.
"I think it is a good idea," said Drabek, who plans to be in the field when the season opens Wednesday. "I'm not worried about people. I'm worried about the deer herd."
Archery hunters in Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Ogle and Winnebago counties may voluntarily provide samples from deer they harvest.
For the animals to be tested, hunters must remove the deer heads and a couple of neckbones. The heads must be kept cold until delivered to a collection site, where the hunter will get a card with a reference number.
After the tests are completed at the state labs, the reference numbers of the deer with negative results will be posted on the DNR Web site. Wildlife officials will contact any hunters with deer testing positive.
Tests for deer taken by bow hunters only will be available through the start of the firearms season.
This year the state plans to test 5,385 hunter-killed deer during the archery and firearms seasons along with some others taken as part of the DNR's sampling program. Last year 4,100 deer were tested.
As of the start of archery season, Illinois has recorded 14 CWD cases -- 12 in an area near Roscoe on the border of Winnebago and Boone counties and two in McHenry County.
Paul Shelton, the state DNR forest wildlife program manager, said his agency doesn't endorse the use of CWD kits being sold in sporting goods stores.
"As far as I know, there is nothing out there that is FDA approved," he said.
Shelton noted the FDA did approve one new test for use in state labs that is faster but more expensive. Wisconsin plans to use the faster test this season.
Tell us about your hunt
With the fall hunting season opening next week, the Register Star will start its Deer Harvest List next Sunday.
Register Star readers are invited to submit bucks or does they take during 2003-2004 hunting seasons for publication. The listing will be published Sundays through the season.
You can send information to Deer Harvest List, Sports Department, Register Star, 99 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104; call 815-987-1386 or 800-383-7827 or fax 815-987-1204; or e-mail to dgoodman@registerstartower.com
Turkey and deer hunters also are invited to send in photos of their harvest for possible publication.