Success StoryWildlife Food Safety and Deer Fabrication



Wildlife Food Safety and Deer Fabrication

Author: Gregg Rentfrow

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Hunting is a popular past-time with Kentuckians.  Most hunters will solely focus on planning the hunt and bagging game with little thought on what to do with the carcass after the hunt.  In addition, food safety after the hunt is a topic that most hunters do not think about or consider as part of the process.  Food Safety after the Hunt has become a popular extension presentation throughout the fall.  Last year five counties hosted the presentation.  Furthermore two counties, including a workshop organized by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, incorporated a deer carcass cutting demonstration.  The impact of teaching food safety to hunters is difficult to quantify, but due to the cutting demonstrations more hunters are fabricating their own game.  Moreover, this program has helped develop a cooperation between the UK Meat Science Division and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.