Ken Erickson, a seasoned hunter in Saskatchewan since 1971, has halted his pursuit of certain animals due to concerns about chronic wasting disease. With the Saskatchewan government discontinuing its testing program for the disease, other hunters are contemplating a similar decision.
Chronic wasting disease affects cervids like deer, elk, and moose, impacting their brains and nervous systems. Despite no reported cases in humans, Erickson, mindful of his immunocompromised wife’s health, opted to prioritize his family’s safety.
Expressing reluctance to introduce any risks to his household, Erickson, originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario, has extensive hunting experience in the prairies since relocating to Regina in the 1970s. While now focusing on bird hunting due to challenges in handling large game alone, he expressed a desire to hunt deer if the CWD threat were eliminated.
Darrell Crabbe, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, criticized the government’s decision to end the testing program, emphasizing its importance in ensuring safe meat consumption for the community. The province plans to monitor wildlife health and populations through alternative methods following the program’s termination.
Despite the disease’s prevalence in 63 of Saskatchewan’s 83 wildlife zones, mandatory testing zones, including zones 43, 47, 49, 50, 53, and 55-69, will continue processing samples submitted by October 31. However, voluntary submission zone samples will no longer undergo testing.
Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, highlighted the abrupt termination of the program without prior consultation on the potential repercussions. Concerns have been raised about the increased risks of disease transmission and the financial impact on the hunting community following the program’s end.
As pressure mounts on the government to reconsider its decision, calls have been made to reinstate the testing program and establish a wildlife advisory committee for improved coordination in 2027. Despite the challenges, Erickson remains hopeful of continuing his hunting activities in the region.