Ken Erickson, a seasoned Saskatchewan hunter since 1971, decided to halt pursuing certain animals due to concerns about chronic wasting disease. Recently, the Saskatchewan government announced the discontinuation of its chronic wasting disease testing program, citing low participation from hunters. This disease impacts the nervous systems of cervids like deer, elk, and moose.
Erickson, who prioritizes his family’s safety, expressed reluctance to risk exposing his immunocompromised wife to the disease. Despite being an avid hunter from a young age and having extensive experience in the prairies, he now focuses on bird hunting, finding big game handling challenging with age.
Criticism has arisen over the government’s decision, with Darrell Crabbe, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, emphasizing the importance of the testing program for ensuring safe meat consumption. The termination of the program has raised concerns among hunters about the potential spread of the disease and the impact on wildlife health monitoring.
Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, highlighted the abrupt cancellation of the program without prior consultation and urged for a more comprehensive approach to address the issue beyond data collection.
The hunting community is urging the government to reconsider its decision and reinstate the testing program, emphasizing the need for a wildlife advisory committee to enhance coordination for the future. Despite the challenges, Erickson remains hopeful for a resolution that would allow him to continue hunting in the area.