Regrets on not CWD testing my deer

LandLakes

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Joined
Sep 14, 2022
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Looking for some opinions on a CWD situation. I shot a whitetail buck in early November and kept the head for a euro mount. I got the outside of the skull pretty cleaned up, but the whole brain and I think the brainstem are still inside. I haven’t boiled it or anything yet. I’ve had the head sitting in my shed for about a month and a half now. I live in Montana so the temperature has been relatively cooler since, but idk if it’s enough to preserve any tissue.

A buddy of mine shot a mule deer buck about a week or two before mine. He got it about 4 miles away from where I shot my deer, but still the same property, but different “microhabitats.” His ended up testing positive for CWD, but I had already gotten everything of mine processed before I knew. I didn’t test mine at the time, and since I’ve already had it processed, I am now sitting here with steaks, jerky, sticks, etc. wondering what other people would do.

I’m curious if folks would still eat the meat in this situation, or if the nearby positive would make you think twice. Also wondering if it’s even worth trying to get the head tested now since the brain is still intact, even though it’s been sitting around for this long.
 
If the deer looked healthy I personally would consume away.

As mentioned above, definitely look into the possibility of testing options if you’re concerned. I am not sure what they will take for samples (brain sample) or the viability given the length of time. Other than fresh lymph nodes of course.
 
If the deer looked healthy I personally would consume away.

As mentioned above, definitely look into the possibility of testing options if you’re concerned. I am not sure what they will take for samples (brain sample) or the viability given the length of time. Other than fresh lymph nodes of course.
For sure. Definitely looked healthy. Big body and lots of fat.
 
I was told by the Colorado CPW that they can test for it months after it died because of how long it lasts in the gland under the chin. I get mine tested every year just to be safe, no positives yet. I would call and see if you can still get it tested.
 
It’s a personal decision. There are allot of threads on here about CWD and allot of studies you can read online. I personally would be totally fine eating the meat on a positive CWD animal (provided it was healthy/ nothing else was wrong with it) .
 
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