Important information before consuming game meat

Fall in Minnesota means many hunting seasons are either underway or about to begin.

Whether it's small game like rabbits, upland birds like grouse or pheasants, waterfowl like ducks and geese, or larger animals like bears or deer, fall is an active season for hunters across Minnesota.

As hunters hunt wild animals and many look forward to preparing delicious meals from their game, here is an important reminder for hunters not only in Minnesota but beyond.

An important reminder for hunters and game meat lovers

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned the public about the importance of food safety concerns after six people fell ill with a parasite linked to undercooked bear meat served at a family gathering in South Dakota .

In this particular case, two of the six sufferers had not even eaten the meat, but had only eaten vegetables grilled with the meat. This highlights the value of following normal food safety protocols that you would follow with things like beef, pork, or poultry.

I've seen memes shared online in hunting and fishing groups that proudly proclaim things like “game meat will not be recalled” and encourage people to eat game instead of store-bought meat.

While it's true that Wild isn't being recalled, that's not because there aren't risks. That's because there are minimal checks between the time the animal is alive and the time it ends up on your plate. This means hunters must pay particular attention to how they dress, store and prepare their game before consumption, as there is no warning system to alert you to bad meat.

Reduce your risks

Although the risk of possible illness may vary from animal to animal, some general rules of thumb are important.

Temperature is an important consideration. No matter what animal you're hunting, you don't want a bird, duck, deer, etc. to have a long period of time between shooting, preparing it in the field, and letting the meat cool – especially in warm temperatures.

Additionally, it is critical to follow proper field preparation procedures to avoid contamination of the meat during the process.

Deer and other large game pose some additional challenges due in part to their size. The Minnesota DNR has some tips on proper field preparation, transportation and processing here.

Speaking of deer, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is another thing hunters need to be aware of. In the same field association document from the Minnesota DNR, they provide important tips to avoid contracting the disease.

Tips include things like avoiding shooting, touching or eating animals that are acting unusually or appear to be sick. Additionally, wearing protective gloves and following specific field preparation procedures can minimize your risk. You can find these specific tips here.

Once you've got your game on, proper storage is crucial. To prevent the meat from going bad, it is important to cool or freeze it properly. Even then, freezing the meat won't necessarily kill everything. The bear story I mentioned involved the meat being frozen for over a month.

Finally, it's important to cook your meat thoroughly to prevent disease. Here's a guide from the USDA that includes guidelines for storing meat and cooking tips to avoid foodborne illnesses.