Food safety workshop set for big game hunters

PINE RIVER -- To help bring hunters up to date on recommended handling procedures of wild game, the University of Minnesota Extension Service-Cass County will conduct a workshop, "On The Wild Side," at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Community Resource Center Meeting Room in Pine River.

Pre-registration is required for attendance.

With deer season just weeks away, preparation for the coming hunt needs to include information about safe handling and proper preservation of harvested animals. Although hunters are typically thorough regarding planning, equipment repair and firearm safety, often too little thought is given to proper handling of wild game. Faced with real threats of food or animal borne illnesses, hunters need to make food safety a priority when handling game, from field dressing to the roaster.

Matt Woodwick will discuss field dressing, transporting, processing and identifying Chronic Wasting Disease. Current health issues surrounding wild game include anthrax in bear, Chronic Wasting Disease in deer/elk, tuberculosis, lyme disease and e. coli.

Rob Naplin will answer regulation/enforcement/wildlife questions and identification of CWD in a carcass.

Call the University of Minnesota Extension Service-Cass County at (218) 587-8280 or toll-free at 866-587-8281 for more information and to pre-register.