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Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal disease of deer and elk that is being reported in whitetail deer in the neighboring states of Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. There have been no recorded instances of transference to humans, yet there is still little known about the nature of the disease. It is therefore recommended that proper precautions be employed when handling venison.
Click on any of the sites below to learn more about CWD, or refer to the chart below for advice on how to properly handle venison.
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General Precautions
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Do not eat the eyes, brain, spinal cord, spleen, tonsils or lymph nodes of any deer If a deer appears sick, do not eat ANY part of it If your deer is sampled for CWD testing, wait for the results before eating the meat
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Field Dressing
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Wear rubber or latex gloves Minimize contact with the brain, spinal cord, spleen and lymph nodes as you work Do not use household knives or utensils Remove all internal organs Clean knives and equipment of residue and disinfect with a 50/50 solution of household chlorine bleach and water. Wipe down counters and let them dry; soak knives for 1 hour
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Cutting and Processing
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Wear rubber or latex gloves Minimize handling brain or spinal tissues. If removing antlers, use a saw designated only for that purpose, and dispose of the blade Do not cut through the spinal column except to remove the head. Use a knife designated only for this purpose Bone out the meat from the deer and remove all fat and connective tissue (the web-like membranes attached to the meat.) This will also remove the lymph nodes Dispose of hide, brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, tonsils, bone and head in a landfill or by other means available in your area Thoroughly clean and sanitize equipment and work areas with bleach water after processing If processing deer from the CWD management or eradication zones, keep meat and trimmings from each deer seperate
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