Published: November 17, 2007 11:52 pm      

JOE OGNIBENE: EHD shows up in Niagara County

With the deer season open, news that outbreaks of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease have been found in deer from Albany, Rensselaer and Niagara counties, is distressing. The diseased deer from Niagara County was reported from the Youngstown area.

Although EHD is not a threat to human health, hunters are advised to wear rubber gloves when field dressing deer. You are also advised to not eat organ meats such as heart or liver and wash thoroughly any instruments such as knives that come in contact with deer tissue. Eating any organ meat poses a risk of infections of various types to humans. Hunters are advised to have deer boned out professionally to assure as much fat, connective tissues and lymph nodes are removed.

In general, any animal suspected to be ill should not be consumed. If the deer you drop doesn’t seem healthy, notify a DEC officer and if the deer is considered unfit for human consumption, you will be issued another deer tag.

Generally, symptoms of an infected animal would be swollen head, neck or tongue, ulcers within the mouth, peeling of hooves and intestinal bleeding and possibly staggering when walking or running. Animals contract EHD from bites of flies called midges. A heavy frost kills the midges, eliminating the danger of further incidents.

Regardless if the deer you take appears healthy or not, the main thing you should always think of is to be as clean as possible. You cannot wash your hands often enough. Also, check your clothing for any deer ticks that may have jumped from the deer to your clothing. Some deer ticks can carry Lyme disease, which can be fatal to humans. Don’t take a chance, if the deer appears, suspicious call a DEC officer to be on the safe side.

- New Jersey politicians who attempted to deny hunters, fishermen, trappers and farmers from representation on the state Fish and Game Council were soundly trounced when their bills were defeated. Now they are trying to put a positive spin on their losing efforts by blaming a tree-farm issue for the defeat instead of efforts by the state’s hunters, fishermen and farmers.

Had the bills gone through, the council would have been directed to investigate non-lethal wildlife management options prior to setting hunting, fishing or trapping seasons. Simply put, it would mean the end of hunting, fishing and trapping in New Jersey. This is just one more instance of the antis doing their best to take away your rights and privileges. They don’t like to hunt or fish so that means, in their weird thinking, you shouldn’t hunt or fish, either. One more instance why you should be vigilant and monitor your elected politicians and make known that you expect them to protect your right to hunt, fish or trap.

New Jersey farmers felt it was the hunters who kept the deer herd under control, saving crops from being devoured and did not want hunting stopped. The defeat of anti-hunting bills in New Jersey shows what can be done when concerned parties join forces and voices in a common effort.

- Another bit of good news comes from Illinois, where Gov. Rod Blagojevick approved legislation amending the Illinois Wildlife Code to permit the use of the crossbow by hunters age 62 or older. Prior to this ruling, crossbows were allowed only to those who qualified as disabled. In Illinois, a medical doctor determined who was disabled, not an elitist bow-hunting organization with a pet politician in its hip pocket. In Illinois, bow-hunting license sales increased from 83,000 to 140,000 last year. The crossbow may be used during the gun-, bow- or muzzle-loading seasons.

- If you hunt from a tree stand, you might be one who lowers your gun to the ground before leaving the stand. There is a chance the gun could hit the ground muzzle first and a plug of dirt could lodge in the barrel. Unless the gun is carefully inspected a dirt plug could mean instant disaster. Another potential catastrophe waiting to happen is when a smaller gauge shell is used to plug a shotgun to three shots.

- I know of an instance when the hunter used 20-gauge shells to plug a 12-gauge shotgun. When he fired at a duck, the front end of the shotgun blew apart. The gun was destroyed and, fortunately, he didn’t suffer any lasting injuries to his face or eyes. Replacement plugs are available at most outdoor stores or you could use a wooden dowel or small stick as a temporary plug. Another safety tip is to not carry any other gauge shell than what the gun you’re carrying uses. It’s possible in the excitement of the hunt to load a smaller shell in the chamber of a larger gauge gun that could cause disastrous results.

- In what is being called a “knee-jerk reaction,” our neighbor to the north, Toronto, has shut down an 88-year-old campus shooting range at the University of Toronto. Catherine Riggall, the university’s vice president of business affairs said, “In today’s world, even the perception of tolerance of guns and gun violence is seen as negative.” In the history of the shooting range, not one incident has been reported. Someone should inform Ms. Riggall gang violence is banned also, but the gangs haven’t gotten the message. Seems she hasn’t either.



Outdoors calendar

Sunday, Nov. 18

- Regular deer season continues in the Southern Zone through Dec. 9.

- Gorge at Low Water Hike at Whirlpool State Park, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants must be 8 years of age or older. Call 745-7848 for more information or to register.

Monday, Nov. 19

- Catskills regular bear season opens through Dec. 9. Consult regulations guide for boundary area.



Tuesday, Nov. 20

- 3-F Club meeting, 7:30 p.m., 904 Swann Road, Lewiston.



Wednesday, Nov. 21

- Middleport Rod and Gun Club meeting, 7 p.m., Mountain and Freeman roads, Middleport.

- Shooters Committee On Political Education meeting, 7 p.m., B. Leo Dolan American Legion Post 410, 42-44 Niagara St., Lockport. For more information, call Ken Mottorn at 434-7110.



Saturday, Nov. 24

- Allegany Zone regular bear season opens through Dec. 9. Please consult the state regulations guide for boundary areas.