Hunters Warned: Michigan DNR Issues ‘Do Not Eat Deer’ Warning

Michigan wildlife officials have issued a “do not eat” advisory for deer taken from a section of northern Michigan, warning hunters and residents that the animals may be contaminated with high levels of PFAS chemicals.

Archery hunting season begins October 1, with firearm season following on November 15. As hunters get ready, the Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Natural Resources (DNR) are reminding the public to avoid eating venison harvested from one specific area of northern Michigan.

A Do Not Eat advisory remains in effect for deer taken within three miles of Clark's Marsh in Oscoda Township, Iosco County.

Why the Advisory Remains in Effect

The warning, reissued by the DNR on September 15, continues an advisory first issued in 2018, updated in 2019, and narrowed in 2021 from a five-mile radius to the current three-mile zone.

According to the DNR, deer taken from within three miles of the marsh are “more likely to have various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), in their livers and muscle tissue.”

What Is PFAS and Why It’s Dangerous

PFOS exposure has been linked to health effects such as liver damage, high cholesterol, and reduced fertility.

Other ‘Do Not Eat’ Warnings in Northern Michigan

This latest warning joins two other standing advisories in the region: a Do Not Eat advisory for fish, and a similar warning for resident aquatic and semi-aquatic wildlife.