Louisiana Duck Hunters: See the Photo of a Duck Breast Infected with Sarcocystis

Can you feel the excitement in the air?  Duck season begins tomorrow, November 15, for hunters in the West Zone here in Louisiana.

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And while duck hunting is mostly about the fun and fellowship that hunters enjoy in the blind, it's also about taking home some quality game for consumption.

However, one look at a duck infected with Sarcocystis or "Rice Breast" and you might never have the desire to eat duck again.

The photo above from the USGS is the breast of a Northern Pintail Duck found dead.  (A) The pectoral muscle contains numerous sarcocysts (arrowheads) of Sarcocystis that are grossly visible as tan rice grain-like structures.  An area of hemorrhage (*) is also shown.

What Causes Ducks To Develop Sarcocystis or Rice Breast?

Decades ago, Louisiana was teeming with an abundance of waterfowl at this time of year.  However, over the past twenty years we've seen a downward spiral in the volume of ducks coming through each fall. Most experts attribute this to a change in agricultural practices causing more and more ducks to stop short of the Bayou State and possibly even moving further to the west.

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But even though ducks might be a little harder to come by, if you began to clean the duck and its breast looked like this, would you keep it or immediately throw it away?

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Sarcocytis or Rice Breast, is a parasite found in ducks, geese, and other birds. Mammals and reptiles can also be infected.

Though Officials Say The Meat Shouldn't Hurt You, They Don't Suggest Eating It

But can humans get it from eating the meat of an infected animal? Experts say no, there is no known risk to humans, but you still might not want to keep it.

Apparently, the affected tissue is unappetizing and should not be eaten. But, if you want to take a gamble, research shows that the parasites can be killed when completely cooked. Course, that won't change the fact that you're eating parasitic worms, but if that's your thing, go for it.

Good luck this season and if you've got room in the blind, try to always take a kid!