Well, what's in the larder?

[MattM37]

Doe antelope and a buck antelope.
Working on my cow elk tag, but no joy yet.
Whitetail deer coming up soon as well.

Ernie, I've never eaten antelope and hear mixed reviews. What's your opinion on how it rates with other wild game?

[MattM37]

COVID may be in the larder...

New study suggests SARS-CoV-2 spreading widely within wild deer population | Ars Technica

"That said, deer could provide a substantial reservoir for the virus. The species studied here, the white-tailed deer, has a population estimated at 25 million in North America, and many of those ungulates are found in areas with high human population densities. The two populations also regularly interact thanks to both hunting and traffic accidents.

"A large reservoir like that poses a number of risks if there's a chance of a return spread to humans. Deer are obviously exempted from any of the public health measures we've used to limit the spread of the virus, so COVID is likely to spread unchecked among deer, which could provide a route for the virus to re-enter human populations where infections are rare.

"In addition, the virus could evolve to thrive in its new hosts—with consequences for humans that are difficult to predict. The virus could become more specialized for deer, reducing the risk it poses to humans. Or the virus could evolve in ways that heighten either its spread or the symptoms it causes in human hosts. Finally, either of these changes could alter its immune profile in a way that limits the protection provided by vaccines or prior infection.

No worries on my end. If this year is like the past few, I won't be anywhere near close enough to a deer to get sick.

"Deer are obviously exempted from any of the public health measures we've used to limit the spread of the virus." LOL, you don't say! At least they included the word "obviously."

[crm3006]

From PigHunter: "New study suggests SARS-CoV-2 spreading widely within wild deer population | Ars Technica"

Not enough "human" population in that part of the Hill Country to spread the chinese communist virus. Seems like another scare tactic from some off the wall anti hunting maniacs. Nobody in that part of Texas wearing masks, and asking about a jab might get you either shot, or laughed out of town. Consensus in our hunting group was "Vaccination? HELL NO!"

[jhjimbo]

No worries on my end. If this year is like the past few, I won't be anywhere near close enough to a deer to get sick.

"Deer are obviously exempted from any of the public health measures we've used to limit the spread of the virus." LOL, you don't say! At least they included the word "obviously."

Not hunting this year?

[jhjimbo]

If you shoot a deer that looks and acts sick and you hit it in the lungs you might spread the virus all throughout the internal parts. By all means, don't kiss it on the nose.

[crm3006]

From MattM37: "Ernie, I've never eaten antelope and hear mixed reviews. What's your opinion on how it rates with other wild game?"

Matt, my main deer hunting, fishing, and elk hunting buddy and I were given some antelope meat by his Uncle, because they didn't know how to cook it. As it was ground meat, Mike and I decided to make chili. Turned out some of the best chili I ever ate. I didn't get very much sage taste out of that batch, but have it from friends who regularly kill speed goats that they can be "sagey" at certain times of the year.
Given the opportunity, I would kill and process one, just to see what the meat was like.

[Ernie]

Ernie, I've never eaten antelope and hear mixed reviews. What's your opinion on how it rates with other wild game?

It is below deer for me and my wife. Meat care is a big deal for antelope.
I have fellow hunters who pick antelope as their favorite.

[Ernie]

As far as Covid goes, I live my life with joy and not restriction among others who do the same.
When it comes to hunting, I do the same.

[MattM37]

Not hunting this year?

Just making a joke about my venison drought -- not much luck the past few years.

[FirstBubba]

From PigHunter: "New study suggests SARS-CoV-2 spreading widely within wild deer population | Ars Technica"

Not enough "human" population in that part of the Hill Country to spread the chinese communist virus. Seems like another scare tactic from some off the wall anti hunting maniacs. Nobody in that part of Texas wearing masks, and asking about a jab might get you either shot, or laughed out of town. Consensus in our hunting group was "Vaccination? HELL NO!"

If the virus can survive a skillet of hot grease or a 300° oven, guess I'll just get sick!

Is the COVID-19 virus "thermophilic"?

[jhjimbo]

If the virus can survive a skillet of hot grease or a 300° oven, guess I'll just get sick!

Is the COVID-19 virus "thermophilic"?

You can get the virus right after shooting it.

[Ernie]

You can get the virus right after shooting it.

Are you going hunting this year?
Are you worried about it?

[jhjimbo]

I have heard of Apes in GA and Leopards in CA having the virus but none reported around here in Ohio or NY where I go. Have not heard of any CWD either.

[Ernie]

Simple answer for me:
As far as Covid goes, I live my life with joy and not restriction among others who do the same.
When it comes to hunting, I do the same.
This was my same mindset before it came along.

[MattM37]

I'm inclined to agree that it's anti-hunting bunk. The pandemic is fitting nicely into all kinds of agendas, so why not the one against our most traditional pastime?