Ken Erickson has been hunting in Saskatchewan since 1971, with chronic wasting disease being a significant factor in his decision to halt hunting certain animals. Now, as a provincial program draws to a close, other hunters are contemplating following suit.
The Saskatchewan government has opted to discontinue its chronic wasting disease testing initiative due to minimal participation from hunters. This disease impacts the brains and nervous systems of cervids, including deer, elk, and moose.
Erickson, a long-time hunter, expressed concern for his family’s safety, particularly his immunocompromised wife, and emphasized his reluctance to risk exposing them to the disease. Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Erickson began hunting at a young age and has since amassed extensive hunting experience in the prairies, offering guidance to fellow hunters.
Despite facing challenges in handling large game as he ages, Erickson still pursues bird hunting. He expressed a desire to hunt deer again if not for the threat of chronic wasting disease, attributing the program’s termination more to politics than science.
Criticism has arisen from various quarters, including Darrell Crabbe, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, who highlighted the program’s importance in ensuring the safety of consumed meat and lamented its discontinuation.
Moving forward, the province plans to monitor wildlife health and population through alternative methods. However, concerns persist regarding the potential ramifications of ceasing the testing program, with calls for reinstatement and enhanced government action to address the issue effectively.