What is in my elk meat!?

[fireweed]

With a beautiful, but tough old Idaho bull almost used up in the freezer, we were specifically looking for a "meat bull" this year.  Really big, or really small was the idea.  And it worked out just that way when a runty little 4 pt horn bull wandered by.  YUMMY.  No more crock pots and marinades and pounding for hours--we had some good tender eats now.

Everything looked normal on this bull, not even hoof rot.  It was a bit small for a 2-year old and didn't have much fat at all.  Then I noticed the weird tiny little white hair-like lines in the tenderloin, then back strap, and all around the muscle.  We've butchered many a critter, and have encountered tape worm cysts before, but these were much smaller and more numerous.  Huh?  Packed it out and on the computer and phone for a day to come to the conclusion of SARCOCYSTIS, and single celled parasite like an amoeba.  After talking to the WSU vet today she says that she has had many more calls this year than in the past.  Great, another disease in Washington elk.  If you got a St. Helens bull, better check. 
Vet says it is ok to eat for people, just cook it.  Found one story of a man in Japan who got infected from a deer (but he ate it raw).  In the tropics certain species infect people and livestock.   The net has a story of two out of state Wyoming hunters that each killed bulls and they tossed the meat. Anyone out there deal with this? 

I can't seem to upload my photo, but here is what the WDFW sent me to "reassure" me that it is ok to eat.  Mine looked like this but had more.
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Wildlife-in-Wyoming/More-Wildlife/Wildlife-Disease/Wildlife-Disease-Information/Common-Diseases-Reported-by-Hunters/Sarcocystis

[bobcat]

I wouldn't eat it. Especially because I always cook my meat rare. I wouldn't want a well done elk steak. I suppose you could use it for dog food. That's probably what I would do.

[lewy]

Bummer, had it in several birds over the years. They go in the dumpster.

[fireweed]

I wouldn't eat it. Especially because I always cook my meat rare. I wouldn't want a well done elk steak. I suppose you could use it for dog food. That's probably what I would do.

Most of these "things" have a predator/prey cycle, so it would be more important to cook it well for the dog than for the person!

[bobcat]

I wouldn't eat it. Especially because I always cook my meat rare. I wouldn't want a well done elk steak. I suppose you could use it for dog food. That's probably what I would do.

Most of these "things" have a predator/prey cycle, so it would be more important to cook it well for the dog than for the person!

I would. I'd probably can it. Or some anyway, and throw away the rest.

[LDennis24]

Cook it at a high enough temp and it should be fine. I eat morels when they have fungus gnat larvae in them too! Just fry them up! Lol

[Magnum_Willys]

Anything weird I’d dump it…….

[full choke]

Wow. Never heard of this in elk before.
Not common in ducks but still present.
I, personally, have only had one duck with this present. They say you can cook it and eat it, but no way I am doing that!

[fireweed]

In ducks, the "rice breast" look has much larger cysts.  These in the elk are hard to notice.  Someone who hadn't butchered game much might not even see them, or think they are just part of the meat.  They are only about 2 mm long and tiny, like a thread or piece of sinew. 

[bkaech]

We have seen a few of those over the years. We ate them. After all, that is why we hunt, for the meat. Never had an issue with it. It is safer than trichinosis which is likely in half of the bears I have killed over the years, and I always eat those. I can't imagine tossing out perfectly good meat.

[Iveexcaped3]

Don’t toss it just make sure you REALLY freeze it. It can be safe to eat.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/conservation/wildlife-health/sarcocystis-rice-breast

[zwickeyman]

If it isnt one thing its another      WTF

BTB
HD
EHD
CWD
Hoof Rot
Sarcocystis 
Hydatid

just to name a few

[robescc]

I couldn't eat it. I am extremely picky about my meat and especially what goes into my burger. I would beg and plead for another tag.

[wafisherman]

No big deal 

1) Freeze it for at least 10 days.  Ensures all parasites are dead.  Pretty much any meat we get, especially game meat, has some.
2) Cook and use a meat thermometer for correct internal temps (doesn't need to be well done, but probably not 'blue' either)
3) If really concerned, turn into jerky, sausage, canned meat, etc.  Give away as Christmas presents to your inlaws.  Win win.

[hunter399]

Grind it up and make some sticks,summer ,jerky,maybe try corn beef it. Some roast.