MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The spread of chronic wasting disease among Wisconsin's deer herd has long been a concern, but apparently hunters are not all that uneasy about eating tainted venison.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports the disease is related to incurable illnesses that cause dementia and death in humans.
Most hunters don't take advantage of free testing offered by the state because chronic wasting disease itself hasn't crossed the species line. Only a few thousand of the 300,000 or more deer harvested each year are tested.
In the months leading up to deer hunting season, which starts Saturday, more hunters have expressed concerns about how the disease will affect the herd. But Larry Bonde, a Manitowoc farmer who serves as chair of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, says there's no indication testing will become more popular this year.
