Sarcocystosis

[TheSkyBuster]

Went out this morning and dropped a dozen dekes in one of the public access (15 shot) fields by my house.  I Killed 7 Mallards, 1 was hen (accident I swear) and I sailed the last greenhead downwind 1/2 a mile into the field, I walked out to the general area but he was no where to be found, coyote bait.  So I packed up with 6 and headed home..... With 1 shell left in my pocket,  It can be tough shooting in the 30 MPH wind. 





When I was cleaning the birds I found one with a condition I have not seen in a couple years. I had to look it up online again.


"Sarcocystosis" or ricebreast.




Nasty little parasites in the muscle tissue of the duck......... I aint eatin that!

here is the link to the info I found:

http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/research/AAB/005-ricebreast.php


I thought I would share, I'm sure some guys here have seen this before and some haven't.  It seems fairly rare. 


it is important to not feed infected birds to pets, or to throw such birds where they can be consumed by wild carnivores as this may only help the cycle of the parasite. Dispose of any infected birds in garbage or by burning.

[Ellensburg]

What happens if you eat it?

[TheSkyBuster]

here is the link to the info I found:

http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/research/AAB/005-ricebreast.php


Apparently, the cysts become “invisible” during cooking, and health officials tell us that ingesting cooked Sarcocystosis cysts (cooking and eating ricebreast ducks) does not pose a health hazard. However, Sarcocystosis infections are one of the most conspicuous parasitic conditions of wild ducks, and infected ducks are definitely not appealing, and most are understandingly discarded by hunters.

[Fowlweather25]

I wouldn't eat it! yuck

[jennyfell55]

EWWW now I feel like bugs are crawling on me 

[TheSkyBuster]

EWWW now I feel like bugs are crawling on me 

Sorry, it wasn't my intention to gross anyone out, I just wanted to share some information for the benifit of this community.  Personally I don't find ricebreast nearly as nasty as those little waterfowl lice that crawl up your arm and you can't squish em with your fingers.   

[jennyfell55]

EWWW now I feel like bugs are crawling on me 

Sorry, it wasn't my intention to gross anyone out, I just wanted to share some information for the benifit of this community.  Personally I don't find ricebreast nearly as nasty as those little waterfowl lice that crawl up your arm and you can't squish em with your fingers.   

No need to apologize lol. The information is awesome and very appreciated. Oh I HATE those things!!! I screamed and flapped my arms around like a little girl the first time one of those crawled on me 

[WCTaxidermy]

Just cook em for an extra 5 minutes and you will be fine......  

[seth30]

Looks like a great day

[TheSkyBuster]

Just cook em for an extra 5 minutes and you will be fine......

Which ones, the cyst's or the lice?   

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

Seen it a few times.  Supposedly it is fit for human consumption as long as it is thoroughly cooked, but I don't know anyone who has done so, certainly not I.  Here is a little more reading for those interested...

[~GooseDown~]

Use him as crab bait next summer.. 

[gotshot]

Looks kind of like the fish at Skippers restaurant before they cook it.

[jeepguy]

how many had it?

[Ellensburg]

So people who pluck their birds never even see it. Thats kinda scary. what if you roast a whole duck with the skin on it and cook it rare... probably eatin parasites