Bovine TB Found in Michigan Cattle: Why Deer Hunters Should Care

If you’re heading up north to deer camp in a few weeks, here’s something to keep in mind before bringing home a freezer full of venison.

Bovine tuberculosis has been found in a cattle herd in Alcona County. And while that might sound like something only farmers need to worry about, the disease can spread between cattle and wild deer.

Why Should Michigan Deer Hunters Care About Bovine TB in Cows?

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Bovine TB is something northeastern Michigan has been dealing with for years. Routine testing turned up this latest case in cattle, but officials are still trying to figure out where it came from.

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And here’s the thing: you could shoot a deer that looks perfectly healthy and still have no idea it’s infected. Even while field-dressing it, you might not see anything wrong. Getting it tested is the only way to know for sure.

How Can Michigan Deer Hunters Get Their Deer Tested for Bovine TB?

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If you’re hunting in the parts of northeastern Michigan where bovine TB is a concern, the DNR says to wear gloves and a mask when field-dressing your deer. People can get it, too, so it’s worth taking a few precautions.

You can have your deer’s head tested for TB regardless of where in Michigan you shot it. Just make sure you’ve reported your harvest first, then check the DNR’s website to find a place to drop off the head.

If it comes back positive, the DNR says don’t eat it. Yeah, that sucks after all the time and effort you put into getting that deer. But I’d rather find out before it ends up on my plate.