North Zone closed with a "BANG"

[Bill Lewis]

Finally got out to hunt with buds up north and with the freezing temps the birds showed up finally! Wednesday we had winds to 30mph and cold we managed 2 honkers and a few ducks. Thursday greeted us with temps @ 8 degrees and 15 mph winds but the birds loved it. A 2 man limit on geese and half dozen mallards,a black, and a shoveler. While cleaning the harvest the black duck breast was loaded with what seems to be parasites(worms). Over the past 15 years I have harvested say 5-6 other "wormy" ducks,all have been blacks. Anyone else witness this condition or know what it is?

 

[Hank Yorke]

It's called rice breast

 

[Dale C.]

Hi Bill,


It's called rice breast. I've killed about a half dozen over the years myself. They were all types of ducks. They say it's ok to eat and won't effect humans, but I could never bring myself to eat one. For those that pick their birds, I'm sure they have eaten some and never knew it. A quick search found this. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/waterfowl/sarcocystis.asp
Dale

 

[Bill Lewis]

Thanks guys,I definitely failed fear factor 101 and also cannot bring myself to eat it.

 

[Phil Nowack]

nothing wrong with it

 

[Craig F]

Nice gunning Bill! All my north zone haunts were locked up so we had to make due on the salt.