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Hunters and disease risks

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Disease prevention quick tips for hunters

Print version

Prior to Hunting Season:

• Make sure hunting dogs are up-to-date on their vaccines, especially rabies.
• Begin (or continue) heartworm prevention medications.

During and After Hunting:

• Do not hunt if you are ill.
• Minimize insect bites.
• Avoid abdominal shots when possible.
• Report any sick wildlife or wild bird die-off.
• Avoid wearing the same clothes on consecutive days.
• Conduct frequent body checks for ticks.
• Do not feed entrails, raw meat or other offal to your dogs.

Handling and Cleaning the Carcass:

• Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning wild fowl or game.
• Wear heavy rubber or latex gloves.
• Do not use the same utensils to clean different species.
• If abnormalities are seen in the intestines, abdominal cavity or chest cavity during cleaning, consider disposing of the entire carcass.
• Remove wide margins of tissue around all wounds.
• Remove the intestines as soon as possible.
• Minimize contact with brain or spinal tissues.
• Discard meat that has come into contact with intestinal contents.
• Protect carcass from flies.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Processing the Meat:

• Wear heavy rubber or latex gloves.
• Thoroughly wash tools, equipment and working surfaces after use.

Cooking and Storing the Meat:

• Do not eat meat from wild game or fowl that appeared ill or abnormal.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat.
• Do not keep meat at room temperature.
• Thoroughly cook meat.
• Promptly refrigerate or freeze uncooked meat.
• Properly wrap and store wild game meat separate from other foods.

More information about zoonotic disease prevention for hunters can be found in the AVMA's Disease Precautions for Hunters document.

This information has been prepared as a service by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Redistribution is acceptable, but the document's original content and format must be maintained, and its source must be prominently identified. Please contact Dr. Kimberly May (800.248.2862, ext 6667; kmay@avma.org) with questions or comments.