Shot a deer with an infection and need to know if it's safe

[JIL_24/7]

Hello All,
I was fortunate to shoot a whitetail yesterday. When I got to the downed animal it looked perfectly normal except for what appeared to be an old puncture wound in one hind quarter. I gutted him and drug him out with no evidence there was anything wrong. I hung him and began skinning him and when I got to where the wound was I found a large pocket of green gelatinous infection. There was also yellow puss. I removed it all and it was about the size of a softball. It didn't smell funny but it looked gross and that rear hind had less muscle mass than the other. Some of the puss ran down while I was skinning and I wiped my blade all off but didn't switch or clean it with soap before skinning the rest. It is at the butcher now but I am wondering if it really is safe to eat. Thoughts? Experience? Knowledge? I have 3 children so it is a big deal to me that I don't feed them something I shouldn't. Thanks

[BearSupreme]

What you found was an absess which is a local infection. All you have to do is cut away the effected area and you're fine. Cheers

[rocksteady]

It sounds like an infection from an abyss. Doubt its contagious or anything like that.. It would be different if it was some sort of cancerous tumour.


I would cut a wide berth around it, maybe even sacrifice the whole quarter if you are really hesitant and eat the rest

[JIL_24/7]

I can send a photo of my deer (Not the infection) to someone if they will post it. Just for those who like pics. He's no wall hanger, but he's legal!

[Whonnock Boy]

I think you'll be fine. However, I would have informed the butcher of the affected area so they could remove the surrounding tissue just for piece of mind.

[JIL_24/7]

I think you'll be fine. However, I would have informed the butcher of the affected area so they could remove the surrounding tissue just for piece of mind.

Butcher is aware. He said he would use his better judgement. First time to him but my buddy likes him.

[ForestWalker10]

i would hate to have an abscess the size of an abyss.

[buckhunter76]

I have shot a deer with an abscess on the back quarter around the rump area, also my buddy shot a deer that had been shot top of the back bullet just missed the spine high,the wound had started to heal over lots of puss and smelt bad, both instances we just cut a wide berth around the area when we proscessed both, worst case you’ll lose abit of meat off it, congrats on the deer

[BearSupreme]

As a meat cutter of 10 years and ex meat inpsector you commonly see green absesses in commercial lamb. You cut it out and it doesnt effect any other part of the meat. The only time you would have an issue is if the absess goes into the bone

[rocksteady]

i would hate to have an abscess the size of an abyss.

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