Thread: Inspecting deer organs

Originally Posted by Tahr

None of this has ever worried me much. Have never inspected the insides much except for when I was farming in a TB area. Disposed of a TB pig once that had lesions.
If I ate deer offal (and I don't) I would give the liver a once over and biff it if it looked dodgy but more than likely still keep the meat.

Otherwise I just judge their general health when they are dead and if they are too skinny I boot them over a bank. I can only recount that ever happening a few times.

In NZ, if cooked Im not aware of anything that can harm you anyway?

Its a bit like projectile choice. We worry too much.

Part of the inspection is to check if the animal has Leptospiroses or Johnes Disease. If either is suspected then a very good wash of hands and arms is required to remove infectious Spirokeets and Bacteria. Cooking will kill both but it is too late by then because they are contracted from urine and faeces. Be careful when gutting not to contaminate hands or carcase with either. Ecoli and Campylabacta might also be present in the intestinal tract with some bad strains around now. Do not rupture the bladder and be sure to tie off the anus before pulling back through the pelvic opening