Attention Suffield and Area Big game hunters- Health advisory!

[walking buffalo]

TB (Bovine Tuberculosis) has been found in a Beef bull from the Jenner Area, tested positive in mid September.

As of today I am not aware of a notice to the hunting public from the Government. I can't sit on this knowledge anymore and feel responsible to share with my fellow hunters, as I would be sick to learn if someone got sick before F&W finally acts.....

While the chances are small, the potential harvest to a TB infected Elk, deer or moose (possibly Pronghorns too) is real. Humans can be infected by this disease, particularly when one does not know what to look for.

This webpage from the Manitoba government will give some insight in what to look for (photo of infected lung) and what to do.


http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wi...se/bovine.html

"Bovine TB is different from the human form of the disease. It is highly unlikely that a hunter would contract bovine TB when field dressing or eating the meat of an infected animal.

Hunters can reduce any risks during field dressing game by avoiding exposure to open wounds, wearing rubber gloves and washing promptly afterwards. Cooking meat well, until the juices run clear, readily kills the organism.

Also, when field dressing an elk or deer, hunters should look for tan or yellow pea-sized lumps in the wall of the rib cage or lungs.

If these lumps are present, the hunter should immediately stop handling the carcass, attach the game tag, and contact the nearest Manitoba Conservation or Riding Mountain National Park office. " (contact Alberta F&W).


Be safe! Clean those critters with care.

[arrow dog]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

[Icon]

Just a bump as this info needs to be shared.

[3blade]

Thanks WB.

Yet another failure by AEP and the GOA. Smh.

Wear gloves and be careful everyone. If you see anything strange, it's best to have it checked.

[HoytCRX32]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

If these lumps are present, the hunter should immediately stop handling the carcass, attach the game tag, and contact[/B] the nearest Manitoba Conservation or Riding Mountain National Park office. " (contact Alberta F&W).

.

Man, you do them a favour by taking it out of circulation and they still want you to tag it??!!
Ouch!
I hope they would issue a new tag if it proved to be a positive case.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by HoytCRX32

Man, you do them a favour by taking it out of circulation and they still want you to tag it??!!
Ouch!
I hope they would issue a new tag if it proved to be a positive case.

That quote is from the Manitoba gov. webpage.

AFAIK, the Alberta government has not made any public statements on this wildlife and HUMAN health concern.

Unconfirmed, but I have heard from several sources that the TB positive Bull was ranged on the Suffield Block.


If I was in Shannon Phillips pants....
F&W would immediately post a TB concern notice and information on the MY Wild Alberta webpage, which would include protocols for hunter killed animals.

----

Is the government going to notify Suffield hunters?

Will they take advantage of this hunt to take samples for testing?

What management options is the government considering IF TB is found in elk or deer? Will they call for helicopters?

[Stinky Buffalo]

Thanks for the heads-up!

[3blade]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

That quote is from the Manitoba gov. webpage.

AFAIK, the Alberta government has not made any public statements on this wildlife and HUMAN health concern.

Unconfirmed, but I have heard from several sources that the TB positive Bull was ranged on the Suffield Block.


If I was in Shannon Phillips pants....
F&W would immediately post a TB concern notice and information on the MY Wild Alberta webpage, which would include protocols for hunter killed animals.

----

Is the government going to notify Suffield hunters?

Will they take advantage of this hunt to take samples for testing?

What management options is the government considering IF TB is found in elk or deer? Will they call for helicopters?

If you happen to get in her pants perhaps you could suggest a fresh look at grizzly management, and a few other well known conservation concerns. thanks for taking one for the team. I'll buy the beers if you need to forget some stuff after

[Mikeham]

Originally Posted by 3blade

If you happen to get in her pants perhaps you could suggest a fresh look at grizzly management, and a few other well known conservation concerns. thanks for taking one for the team. I'll buy the beers if you need to forget some stuff after

Be a gentleman. No need for the "get in her pants" comments.

[Dewey Cox]

Has everyone met Buzz Killington?

[ishootbambi]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

Unconfirmed, but I have heard from several sources that the TB positive Bull was ranged on the Suffield Block.


Will they call for helicopters?

Consider it confirmed. I have no explanation why there is no official statement yet from our awesome government.

It is no secret among those living and working in the area. A domestic bovine definitely did test positive recently and the feller who owned it had been ordered to quarantine his herd. That's fact. I know his name but don't ask me to divulge. It ain't his fault and he has enough problems right now.

Lots of rumours and ideas flying at the moment too. Fingers are being pointed at the elk as the source. I don't see any possible way to confirm that myself, but I am hearing rumours of destroying the elk inside the fences. I'm not sure I want that personally but it just might solve a few problems in the south. Honestly I'm much more concerned about what could happen to Albertas already reeling economy. My thoughts are with my ranching friends and family. Anyone hunting there this year (if it's still a go) would be wise to read up on what to look for and take all the precautions you feel necessary.

[Esox]

Are there any restrictions to hunting in the area? Was planning on hitting up some of the grazing leases north of the base for sharp tails

[thetruth]

Originally Posted by Esox

Are there any restrictions to hunting in the area? Was planning on hitting up some of the grazing leases north of the base for sharp tails

I'm still trying to get official confirmation but I had an elk hunter with a draw in the perimeter WMUs around the Base call me this afternoon and state that the Buffalo/Atlee and Remount Community Pastures on the north end of the Base are officially locked down, no hunting access indefinitely.

With the deer season a little more than a week away, what are the folks who got drawn, for instance, for antlered mule deer in WMU 150 supposed to do exactly? That's a huge amount of hunting area to have shut down a week before the season.

Has anyone out there who was successful in that specific special license draw been contacted by the government I wonder and notified of this situation?

[littlered]

Originally Posted by thetruth

Has anyone out there who was successful in that specific special license draw been contacted by the government I wonder and notified of this situation?

Not me

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

Consider it confirmed. I have no explanation why there is no official statement yet from our awesome government.

It is no secret among those living and working in the area. A domestic bovine definitely did test positive recently and the feller who owned it had been ordered to quarantine his herd. That's fact. I know his name but don't ask me to divulge. It ain't his fault and he has enough problems right now.

Lots of rumours and ideas flying at the moment too. Fingers are being pointed at the elk as the source. I don't see any possible way to confirm that myself, but I am hearing rumours of destroying the elk inside the fences. I'm not sure I want that personally but it just might solve a few problems in the south. Honestly I'm much more concerned about what could happen to Albertas already reeling economy. My thoughts are with my ranching friends and family. Anyone hunting there this year (if it's still a go) would be wise to read up on what to look for and take all the precautions you feel necessary.

The TB positive cow (meant to say steer in op, which still would have been wrong) has been officially reported and publicized.
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/.../1475686044068

While I believe you are correct, it has yet to be officially stated that this cow was ranged on Suffield.


There is little doubt and lots of concern in my mind that there will be demands for an elk eradication in the Suffield Block and surrounding areas. I suspect that many suggesting this were of a similar mindset before this case was discovered.

Whether an elk eradication program is necessary or even advisable should depend in large part on learning if any elk are TB positive. The Suffield Block hunt is a perfect opportunity to do such testing. I hope the gov. is taking action.

As importantly, the gov. needs to inform hunters about the potential health risks involving TB and wildlife in this area. I feel the gov. would be negligent if they do not get the word out now.


It is premature to speculate the source of the infection. Could be from wherever the cow came from, could be from wild elk, which could have been infected by captive or escaped farmed elk.... determining the source will take time and needs to be worked through this very carefully.


Hunters should be aware that access may become restricted as the investigation and control efforts continue.

I wouldn't let this stop me from hunting the area, just become informed and be prepared to handle your animals safely.

[ward]

Originally Posted by Esox

Are there any restrictions to hunting in the area? Was planning on hitting up some of the grazing leases north of the base for sharp tails

No access signs all over.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by Mikeham

Be a gentleman. No need for the "get in her pants" comments.

I'll take the heat for that one.
Floated it slow to be hit.
The thread was too dry, needed some juice.

Were talking infectious diseases here.

[super7mag]

When was the last case of TB recorded in the bottom half of the province? I mean other then the buffalo herd in the north eastern part of the province that has had known cases, I can't recall one case in several years, maybe the 80's when a beef herd was infected.
This seems convient for an Alberta government that dislikes hunters but has an elk problem. But then again I never believed that BSE just happen to show up either.

[Esox]

Originally Posted by ward

No access signs all over.

Well that sucks. Now I'm going to have to scramble and find a new spot for sharpies on the 31 so I can get a couple to mount.

[Mb-MBR]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

Consider it confirmed. I have no explanation why there is no official statement yet from our awesome government.

It is no secret among those living and working in the area. A domestic bovine definitely did test positive recently and the feller who owned it had been ordered to quarantine his herd. That's fact. I know his name but don't ask me to divulge. It ain't his fault and he has enough problems right now.

Lots of rumours and ideas flying at the moment too. Fingers are being pointed at the elk as the source. I don't see any possible way to confirm that myself, but I am hearing rumours of destroying the elk inside the fences. I'm not sure I want that personally but it just might solve a few problems in the south. Honestly I'm much more concerned about what could happen to Albertas already reeling economy. My thoughts are with my ranching friends and family. Anyone hunting there this year (if it's still a go) would be wise to read up on what to look for and take all the precautions you feel necessary.

If that beef is marketed to the U.S I guarantee those Elk and any other wildlife will be eradicated. If it already has not been identified as a TB zone by the U.S markets it will be soon and the elk will bear the brunt of that. Thousands were killed in Riding Mountain Nation Park in Manitoba in attempts to keep it a "TB Free Zone" so ranchers could market their beef...

[Rio56]

There is not a good ending to this ....

[Sooner]

Originally Posted by Rio56

There is not a good ending to this ....

You got that right.

Good luck to the hunters who drew this year. Hope your access don't get shut down. Might be the last hurrah for the elk hunt down there.

[Rio56]

why oh why , has our GOV ignored the largest free roaming herd of elk in North America .. there could of been some relocation effort ... and now some bad actors pointing fingers are gonna destroy all of this ....

[Mb-MBR]

My advice, get your names in there and let government know you want to be part of the CULL because knowing government they'll defer to Rights holders and offer. I say this as a Rights holder and support the concept of all being given the same opportunity when the cull is announced!!!!!

[Newellknik]

I have to ask , the possibility for Elk to be contaminated in Suffield
Goes back how far ? Hundreds of these animals were killed and eaten
By our native brothers .....this could be catastrophic .
I have stated this for quite a while , quadrupeds should not be consumed
In this province .

[RL 1]

Bad News Indeed. Any idea if the closed down area will extend into 151 ?

[Deer Hunter]

That's the cherry on top of the whole debacle.

[stirfry1]

Wonder how wide spread this could be?

Would they shut down the base this year?

Lot of questions with little time to be answered

[bearb8er]

Originally Posted by super7mag

When was the last case of TB recorded in the bottom half of the province? I mean other then the buffalo herd in the north eastern part of the province that has had known cases, I can't recall one case in several years, maybe the 80's when a beef herd was infected.
This seems convient for an Alberta government that dislikes hunters but has an elk problem. But then again I never believed that BSE just happen to show up either.

That was just about my very first that. Way too convenient to me. Either the Cattlemen Ass. or the Base. Get one rancher to take one for the team and get rid of the elk once and for all. Call me paranoid.

[Sooner]

Originally Posted by bearb8er

That was just about my very first that. Way too convenient to me. Either the Cattlemen Ass. or the Base. Get one rancher to take one for the team and get rid of the elk once and for all. Call me paranoid.

If true, how do they go about getting a positive test in one animal? Dumb city guy question.

That being said, the conspiracy thought entered my mind too. Farmers get the elk gone now, Gov & Base get the hunting gone and the drama that followed the last two seasons up there. Ok, Foil hat off