Wild Game Food Source Endangered!

As we approach fall hunting seasons, we are learning the wild game food source many depend upon for winter is endangered.  Many deer reportedly have a deer virus and are sick, dying and possibly won't be available to hunt this year.  Add to that the facts of anthrax killing the cattle in Colorado and Swine Flu hitting the hogs and pigs in Indiana within the past month, it is very possible that many people who normally have a freezer of food for the winter will instead be visiting food pantries and soup kitchens.

North Carolina was the first state to report the deer virus was killing off their deer population.  Yesterday the same news came from the Chicago area of Illinois.  Hundreds of deer have been found dead!

Chicago Deer Dying From EHD

Deer Virus Spreads In North Carolina

If you are a deer hunter who plans on a deer or two in your freezer for the winter, this year may present some problems.  Both links above contain information on where the virus is,  where it is expected to spread, and what it looks like in the deer.  However, just as weather forecasters don't always know exactly where a storm will hit or when, remember these forecasters of where the virus may show up aren't always exact either.  That could be bad, or that could be good, depending on your location.

It is definite that an alternative source of food - meat, protein, veggies, fruit, dairy, etc.  is going to be necessary this year.   Droughts, wildfires, excessively high temperatures, now Hurricane Issac and floods have all contributed to bring about horrific growing conditions for farmers and backyard gardeners alike. Vegetarians may find their selves in a situation much like the meat lovers.  High prices, decreased availability, total lack of supply will result in whatever is available!  Probably won't be corn, lettuce, beans, peppers, tomatoes - and word out of Indiana today is that it won't be apples!  It is being reported this is the worst year for apples in 80 year history!!!

Food is going to be scarce and expensive this winter.  Get prepared now!  Check and see what the conditions are for the game in your area that you hunt.  What is the condition of the fish in your locale?  Are they full of mercury, oil, pcbs or have worms and lesions?  Many reportedly are unedible now.

Are there types of food that are in abundance in your area that you can put up for the winter?  What about foraging for items which grow naturally, have you taken advantage of that?  Do you know how to make fresh wildflower honey, dandelion jelly, persimmon preserves, mixed fresh wild greens, or prepare any of the various available wild foods?  Is your pantry full of canned items for the winter and your freezer filling up?  If not, you need to start now in order to save money and be able to eat, not starve.

Special recommendation is if you use corn meal, corn starch, corn flakes, anything with corn in it, then you should stock up now.  Corn was a disaster in itself this summer - corn fields were cut and baled to use to feed livestock this upcoming winter due to high prices of feed and hay,  plus the corn didn't make.  Many farmers sold off their livestock this summer due to the high cost of feed, hay and the desolation of corn crops.  Beef cattle and dairy cattle alike were sold off everywhere - that will be evident in the next several months in the supermarkets.

With the wild game food sources becoming endangered, the beef, pork and chicken industries threatened and suffering, the seafood and fish being contaminated, the produce and fruit being scarce, and dairy suffering from farmers selling out, this winter could bring about one of the most expensive and bleakest seasons for trying to feed the hungry in recent history.  Prepare now, eat well this upcoming season, and enjoy!

Just Me - Granny D