Deer: lean venison, unconvincing antler supplements and the lead question

Most of the clinical research on deer is about the antlers. A systematic review of 7 small randomized trials of velvet antler supplements, for arthritis, sexual function and sport, found no effect in 5 and nothing convincing in the other 2. We found no trial of eating venison itself. The USDA record for raw venison gives 22.96 g of protein and 6.31 mcg of vitamin B12 per 3.5 oz (100 g), 263 percent of the Daily Value, from a single entry with no spread across samples, and other cuts give other numbers. The better data is on what comes with wild meat. In one US batch of 30 deer shot with lead-core rifle bullets and processed commercially, the ground meat of 24 held metal fragments, and 74 of 234 packages had at least one. In a Japanese study of 90 people, 17.7 percent of those who had eaten raw deer meat carried hepatitis E antibodies, against 2.2 percent of matched controls. That study measured antibodies in a small group from one region and did not count cases of illness.

The numbers, per 3.5 oz (100 g)

How much is actually in it

• Raw venison supplies 22.96 g protein, 6.31 mcg vitamin B12 and 6.37 mg niacin per 3.5 oz (100 g) in the USDA reference record. — USDA reference food record Game meat, deer, raw Evidence E source
  Per 100 g raw: protein 22.96 g (46% DV), vitamin B12 6.31 mcg (263% DV), niacin 6.37 mg (40% DV); across 9 USDA deer records protein 21.5-36.28 g and B12 1.83-6.31 mcg

What a real portion looks like

• In US survey data one strip of venison jerky weighs 14 g, and an unspecified amount eaten is recorded as 47 g. — USDA FNDDS portion weights for Venison/deer jerky Evidence E source
  1 strip or stick (4 inch) 14 g, 1 cup 140 g, quantity not specified 47 g
• In US survey data one slice of venison with gravy weighs 2.3 oz (65 g) and a cup weighs 8.6 oz (244 g). — USDA FNDDS portion weights for Venison or deer with gravy Evidence E source
  1 slice with gravy 65 g, 1 cup 244 g, quantity not specified 183 g, 1 cubic inch boneless cooked 18 g
• In a US survey of 17,372 people, 67.4% had ever eaten deer or elk meat, and 59.8% of venison eaters had it at most once or twice in their peak year. — 17,372 FoodNet population survey respondents, 10 US catchment areas, 2006-2007 (n = 17372) Evidence C source
  Ever ate deer or elk 67.4%; of 11,635 venison eaters 59.8% at most 1-2 times in peak year; 88.6% got all venison from the wild
• Among South Carolina recreational hunters and anglers, deer was among the most eaten wild foods, and top consumers ate nearly 10 times the median amount. — recreational hunters and anglers, South Carolina Evidence C source
  High-end consumers near 10x median; white sportsmen ate more deer

What cooking and storage change

• In a Japanese case-control study of 90 people, 17.7% of those who had eaten raw deer meat carried hepatitis E antibodies, against 2.2% of matched controls. — 45 adults who had eaten raw deer meat and 45 age- and sex-matched controls, Kasai, Japan (n = 90) Evidence C source
  Anti-HEV IgG 17.7% vs 2.2% (P = 0.014)
• Three hunters hospitalized with acute toxoplasmosis had eaten raw or nearly raw venison, and among 62 wildlife workers Toxoplasma antibodies were linked to eating raw or rare venison. — 3 deer hunters with acute toxoplasmosis and 62 wildlife workers handling deer viscera, US (n = 62) Evidence C source
  Association between seropositivity and eating raw or rare venison, p < 0.05
• Five E. coli O157:H7 infections in Missouri were traced to fermented deer sausage. — 5 patients in Missouri (n = 5) Evidence D source
  Matching pulsed field patterns in patient isolates and sausage
• A systematic review of 65 records on game meat processing found that freezing may miss freeze-resistant Trichinella and that curing and fermenting can leave some Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. — 65 records on processing of game meat (n = 65 records) Evidence D source
  Freezing and refrigeration may not control freeze-resistant parasites or psychrotrophic bacteria; curing and fermenting limited against some parasites and STEC
• Of 84 US trichinellosis cases in 2008-2012, 2 were linked to deer meat and 41 to bear meat, and 47% of patients with known cooking history ate raw or undercooked meat. — 84 confirmed trichinellosis cases reported to CDC, 2008-2012 (n = 84) Evidence E source
  Deer meat 2 cases, bear meat 41; raw or undercooked meat in 24 of 51 with cooking data
• CDC says wild game meat must be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to kill Trichinella parasites, and freezing game meat might not be sufficient. — people who eat wild game meat Evidence E source
  Internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) kills Trichinella, freezing might not be sufficient

What it does to your health

• In an RCT of 38 active men on a 10-week strength program, deer antler velvet extract or powder did not change VO2max, red cell mass or hormones versus placebo. — 38 active males, 10-week strength training with extract, powder or placebo (n = 38) Evidence B source
  No endocrine, red cell mass or VO2max change; powder group knee extensor strength +30% vs +13% placebo (p = .04), possibly a type I error per authors
• In an 11-week RCT of 120 women aged 65-80, 6.8 fl oz (200 ml) of deer milk a day did no better than a commercial oral supplement on nutritional status or body composition. — 120 healthy women aged 65-80, 102 completed, 11 weeks (n = 120) Evidence B source
  No between-group difference in MNA-SF or body composition; handgrip trend DM +11.7% vs ONS -2.42% (P = 0.06)
• In an 8-week RCT of 100 adults with chronic fatigue, an enzyme-derived deer velvet extract improved general and physical fatigue scores versus placebo, with no adverse events reported. — 100 adults aged 30-59 with chronic fatigue, 8 weeks (n = 100) Evidence B source
  MFI general and physical fatigue improved versus placebo (group-by-time p = 0.002); no adverse events; no between-group difference in safety outcomes
• In an RCT of 50 adults with knee osteoarthritis, 550 mg a day of deer bone extract for 12 weeks did no better than placebo on pain or joint function. — 50 adults aged 50-70 with knee osteoarthritis, 12 weeks (n = 50) Evidence B source
  Improvement from baseline in both groups, no significant difference between extract and placebo

Safety, limits and interactions

• In venison from 30 deer shot with lead-based rifle bullets, ground meat from 80% of the deer held metal fragments, and 32% of 234 packages had at least one. — 30 white-tailed deer shot with lead-core rifle bullets and processed commercially (n = 30 deer, 234 packages) Evidence D source
  Fragments in ground meat of 24 of 30 deer; 74 of 234 packages with at least one fragment; lead confirmed in 25 of 27 fragment samples
• Pigs fed venison containing bullet fragments had raised blood lead for 3 days, peaking at 3.8 ug/dL against a control mean of 0.63 ug/dL. — 4 pigs fed fragment-containing venison and 4 control pigs (n = 8 pigs) Evidence D source
  Blood lead above controls on days 1-3; maximum 3.8 ug/dL; controls mean 0.63 ug/dL
• One hunter living on game shot with lead ammunition took in about 259 ug of lead a day and had a blood lead of 74.7 ug/dL, which fell after he switched to nonlead bullets. — 1 adult man eating only game shot with lead ammunition (n = 1) Evidence D source
  Lead intake 259.3 ± 235.6 ug/day; blood lead 74.7 ug/dL; lower after switching to nonlead ammunition
• A meta-analysis of 46 publications on hunted game meat found Shiga toxin-producing E. coli more common in meat from ruminants such as deer than from wild boar. — 46 publications, 170 studies, 223 prevalence estimates on meat from hunted wild ungulates (n = 46 publications) Evidence C source
  STEC more prevalent in ruminant game meat; other pathogens more common in suids; substantial heterogeneity
• CDC states that no human CWD infections have been reported and advises considering a CWD test on deer or elk before eating the meat. — hunters of deer and elk, US Evidence E source
  No reported human cases; testing before eating advised
• Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-linked allergy to red meat and other mammal products, can cause delayed anaphylaxis. — emergency department case presentation, US (n = 1) Evidence D source
  Delayed anaphylaxis after mammal meat
• Toxoplasma antibodies were found in 24.1% of 552 red deer and 30.4% of 92 roe deer hunted in Poland. — meat juice from 552 red deer, 92 roe deer and 367 wild boar, Poland, 2009-2011 (n = 1011 animals) Evidence D source
  Red deer 24.1% (95% CI 20.7-27.8), roe deer 30.4% (95% CI 22.0-40.5), wild boar 37.6%

What people believe that the data does not support

• A systematic review of 7 RCTs of deer velvet antler supplements found no effect in 5 trials and unconvincing benefits in the other 2. — 7 randomized trials of velvet antler for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sexual function and sport (n = 7 RCTs) Evidence A source
  5 of 7 RCTs no effect; 2 reported some positive effects judged not convincing; osteoarthritis findings possibly promising
• In an RCT of 32 men aged 45-65, ground deer velvet capsules taken daily for 12 weeks did not change sexual function or sex hormones compared with placebo. — 32 men aged 45-65 and their partners, 12 weeks (n = 32) Evidence B source
  No significant difference in sexual function scores or sex hormones versus placebo

Who this works differently for

• Case reports of 3 children who swallowed lead ammunition note that children absorb lead from the gut faster than adults. — 3 children who ingested lead pellets (n = 3) Evidence D source
  All 3 needed decontamination and chelation for elevated blood lead
• A 2008 ATSDR health consultation predicted a risk of elevated blood lead in children who eat venison shot with lead ammunition, even at the lowest exposure scenario. It advises pregnant women and children under six to avoid venison shot with lead bullets or slugs or from an unknown source, and says discarding the parts of the carcass most likely to hold bullet fragments is one way to avoid lead. — pregnant women and children under six years old, Wisconsin venison consumers Evidence E source
  Predicted risk of elevated blood lead in children eating venison shot with lead ammunition, even at the lowest exposure scenario; pregnant women and children under six advised to avoid it
• CDC names eating contaminated undercooked meat, with venison (deer meat) as one of its examples, as a way Toxoplasma spreads. A woman newly infected during or just before pregnancy can pass the parasite to her unborn child, who can have severe health issues even if she has no symptoms. — women newly infected with Toxoplasma during or just before pregnancy, and their unborn child Evidence E source
  Undercooked contaminated meat is a named route of Toxoplasma infection; a new infection around pregnancy can pass to the unborn child and cause severe health issues even when the mother has no symptoms

What is still unknown

• Cooking is known to kill a broad range of pathogens, yet controlled studies of cooking specifically for game meat remain scarce. — published processing studies on game meat Evidence D source
  Evidence gap: no systematic evaluation of thermal processing as a controlled intervention for game meat

The bottom line

A strip of venison jerky weighs 14 g in US survey data, and a slice of venison with gravy weighs 2.3 oz (65 g). Most people who eat venison eat little of it. In a 2006-2007 US survey of 17,372 people, 67.4 percent had ever eaten deer or elk, and 59.8 percent of those eaters had it at most once or twice in their heaviest year, by their own report. Among South Carolina hunters and anglers, the heaviest eaters of wild foods ate close to 10 times the median, in a survey whose abstract gives no sample size. Raw and rare venison is where the infections sit. Three US hunters in a 1983 report were hospitalized with acute toxoplasmosis after eating raw or nearly raw venison, and among 62 wildlife workers, eating raw or rare venison was linked with Toxoplasma antibodies, with no size given for the link. Of 84 US trichinellosis cases in 2008-2012, 2 were traced to deer meat and 41 to bear. Five E. coli O157:H7 infections in Missouri came from a single outbreak of fermented deer sausage. A review of 65 records on game processing, mostly lab work without pooled numbers, found that freezing may not control freeze-resistant Trichinella and that curing and fermenting may leave some Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Cooking kills a broad range of pathogens, yet controlled tests of cooking game meat specifically are scarce. We do not yet hold a card with an agency cooking temperature for venison, so this page gives none. That is a gap in our evidence, not a sign that raw or rare venison is safe. We also have no card yet on what these infections mean in pregnancy or for people with weakened immunity. Who should be careful. Lead is the main caution for anyone eating game shot with lead ammunition. In 4 pigs fed venison containing bullet fragments, blood lead stayed above controls for 3 days and peaked at 3.8 ug/dL against 0.63 ug/dL, a one-off animal feeding test. One man who lived only on lead-shot game took in about 259 ug of lead a day and had a blood lead of 74.7 ug/dL, which fell after he switched to nonlead bullets. The authors of a report on 3 children who swallowed whole lead pellets note that children absorb lead from the gut faster than adults. Across 46 publications on hunted game meat, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli was more common in meat from ruminants such as deer than from wild boar, with wide variation between studies. The CDC says no human case of chronic wasting disease has been reported and that it is not known whether people can catch it, and it advises strongly considering a CWD test on deer or elk before eating the meat. Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-linked allergy to red meat and other mammal products, can cause delayed anaphylaxis, according to one emergency case report that does not name venison. Deer products other than meat have their own small trials. In the US, supplements do not go through FDA approval the way medicines do, so anyone who takes medication, is pregnant or has a chronic illness should talk to a doctor before taking an antler or deer bone product. Ground velvet capsules for 12 weeks did not change sexual function or sex hormones in 32 men aged 45-65. Deer bone extract at 550 mg a day for 12 weeks did no better than placebo on pain or joint function in 50 adults with knee osteoarthritis. In 38 active men on a 10-week strength program, antler extract or powder changed no hormones, red cell mass or VO2max. The powder group gained 30 percent in knee strength against 13 percent on placebo, a result the authors themselves say may be chance. A patented velvet extract, YC-1101, improved general and physical fatigue scores against placebo over 8 weeks in 100 adults with chronic fatigue, and the abstract gives no size for that gain. In 120 healthy women aged 65-80, 6.8 fl oz (200 ml) of deer milk a day for 11 weeks did no better than a commercial supplement drink.

Sources

1. deer-r3-01 · USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy, dataset
   Game meat, deer, raw (FDC 173855, SR Legacy, Lamb, Veal, and Game Products): vitamin B12 6.31 mcg per 100 g = 263% DV; protein 22.96 g = 46% DV; niacin 6.37 mg = 40% DV; Foundation samples 0, CoFID match none
   USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, FDC 173855 · checked 2026-09-29
2. deer-r3-02 · USDA FNDDS, dataset
   Venison/deer jerky, FNDDS 23321900, fdc_id 2705915: 1 strip or stick (4" long) 14 g | 1 cup 140 g | Quantity not specified 47 g
   USDA FNDDS (FoodData Central survey 2024-10-31), Venison/deer jerky, food code 23321900, fdc_id 2705915 · checked 2026-09-29
3. deer-r3-03 · USDA FNDDS, dataset
   Venison or deer with gravy, FNDDS 27136080, fdc_id 2706420: 1 cup 244 g | 1 slice with gravy 65 g | Quantity not specified 183 g | 1 cubic inch, boneless, cooked 18 g
   USDA FNDDS (FoodData Central survey 2024-10-31), Venison or deer with gravy, food code 27136080, fdc_id 2706420 · checked 2026-09-29
4. deer-r3-24 · cross-sectional survey
   Of 17,372 survey respondents, 19.4% reported travel to the United Kingdom since 1980 ... More than two thirds (67.4%) reported having ever eaten deer or elk meat. ... Of the 11,635 respondents who had consumed venison, 59.8% ate venison at most one to two times during their year of highest consumption, and 88.6% had obtained all of their meat from the wild.
   J Am Diet Assoc, 2011 · checked 2026-09-29
5. deer-r3-25 · cross-sectional survey
   Fish and deer were the most commonly eaten wild-caught foods. High-end consumers were eating at nearly 10x the median consumption rate for most wild-caught foods. ... Men consumed more of these foods, while white sportsmen consumed more deer and black sportsmen consumed more fish.
   Int J Environ Health Res, 2002 · checked 2026-09-29
6. deer-r3-14 · case-control
   In total, 45 volunteer subjects with experience of eating raw deer meat were enrolled. ... Eight (17.7%) of the subjects but only one (2.2%) of the controls had measurable serum anti-HEV IgG levels (P = 0.014).
   J Med Virol, 2004 · checked 2026-09-29
7. deer-r3-15 · cross-sectional serosurvey
   All three hunters had recently consumed raw or nearly raw venison and lacked other known risk factors for toxoplasmosis such as cat contact or eating other undercooked meats. In a serosurvey and questionnaire of 62 wildlife workers who regularly handled deer viscera, an association between seropositivity to Toxoplasma gondii and a history of eating raw or rare venison was found (p less than 0.05)
   Am J Epidemiol, 1983 · checked 2026-09-29
8. deer-r3-16 · case series
   Five Missouri patients infected with Escherichia coli O157:H7 were studied for an epidemiologically plausible association. Case isolates, case interviews, and pathogen and meat XbaI pulsed field electrophoresis patterns were consistent with the common source being contaminated, fermented deer sausage, a previously unrecognized mode of transmission for Escherichia coli O157:H7.
   J Pediatr, 2009 · checked 2026-09-29
9. deer-r3-17 · systematic review
   The review yielded 65 records detailing the decrease or inactivation of microbiological foodborne pathogens in game meat treated with various processes. ... Refrigeration and freezing are commonly employed preservation methods but they may not control all hazards, including freeze-resistant parasites (e.g., Trichinella nativa) and psychrotrophic bacteria capable of growing at low temperatures. Curing and fermenting, although generally resulting in microbiologically safe ready-to-eat products, showed limited efficacy against certain parasites and bacteria, including Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.
   Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 2026 · checked 2026-09-29
10. deer-r3-20 · surveillance report
    Meats other than pork were associated with 45 (54%) cases, including 41 (91%) that were linked with bear meat, two (4%) that were linked with deer meat, and two (4%) that were linked with ground beef. ... Of the 51 patients for whom information was reported on the manner in which the meat product was cooked, 24 (47%) reported eating raw or undercooked meat.
    MMWR Surveill Summ, 2015 · checked 2026-09-29
11. sf-game-r2-1 · agency advice
    Cooking wild game meat to an internal temperature ≥165°F (≥74°C) is necessary to kill Trichinella spp. parasites. ... Cooking game meat to a safe internal temperature (≥165°F [≥74°C]) will kill Trichinella spp. and prevent infection, whereas freezing might not be sufficient
    CDC MMWR, Notes from the Field: Suspected Outbreak of Trichinellosis Associated with Undercooked Bear Meat, North Carolina, November 2023 (2024) · checked 2026-10-08
12. deer-r3-06 · randomized controlled trial
    38 active males were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either deer antler velvet extract (n = 12), powder (n = 13), or placebo groups (n = 13). Subjects were tested prior to beginning supplementation and a 10-week strength program, and immediately post-training. ... There were no endocrine, red cell mass or VO2max changes in any group. These findings do not support an erythropoetic or aerobic ergogenic effect of deer antler velvet.
    Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab, 2003 · checked 2026-09-29
13. deer-r3-07 · randomized controlled trial
    Healthy women (N = 120) aged 65-80 years, the majority having a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 were recruited. The women were randomly assigned to either 200 ml DM or a commercial ONS for 11 weeks. ... There were no between group differences in percentage change in MNA-SF score and body composition (P > 0.05), but a trend for a difference in handgrip strength (DM 11.7 ± 49.8% vs. ONS -2.42 ± 17.9%, P = 0.06).
    Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2023 · checked 2026-09-29
14. deer-r3-08 · randomized controlled trial
    In an 8-week randomized controlled trial, 100 patients with CFS were assigned to either the YC-1101 or the placebo group. ... Compared with placebo, YC-1101 significantly improved Factor 1 (general and physical fatigue) of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) at weeks 4 and 8, with a significant group-by-time interaction (p = 0.002) ... No significant differences in the safety outcomes were observed between the groups, and no adverse events were reported.
    J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2026 · checked 2026-09-29
15. deer-r3-09 · randomized controlled trial
    We enrolled 50 participants aged 50-70 years, having knee OA with a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score ≥5.0. The participants were assigned to the placebo or DBE group (550 mg/day) for 12 weeks. ... However, there was no significant difference in outcomes between the DBE and placebo groups.
    J Med Food, 2018 · checked 2026-09-29
16. deer-r3-10 · food contamination study
    Radiography revealed visible metal fragments in the ground meat of 24 (80%) of the 30 deer. At least one fragment was visible in radiographs of 74 (32%) of 234 packages of ground meat ... ICP analysis of radiodense fragments excised from ground meat packages from 13 deer identified lead in 25 (93%) of 27 samples
    Hunt WG et al., PLoS ONE, 2009 · checked 2026-09-29
17. deer-r3-11 · animal study
    Blood lead concentrations in the four control pigs ranged from below the level of ICP-MS detection (0.5 µg/dL) to 1.2 µg/dL throughout the experiment (mean±SD = 0.63±0.19 µg/dL; Fig. 2). ... Mean blood lead concentrations in the pigs fed fragment-containing venison were significantly elevated above those of control pigs on days 1, 2 and 3 post-exposure
    Hunt WG et al., PLoS ONE, 2009 · checked 2026-09-29
18. deer-r3-12 · case report
    While eating lead-shot meat, the patient was consuming 259.3 ± 235.6 µg of lead daily and his blood lead level was 74.7 µg/dL. Conversion to nonlead ammunition was associated with a reduced blood lead level.
    Am J Med, 2018 · checked 2026-09-29
19. deer-r3-19 · meta-analysis of prevalence studies
    A total of 46 publications (170 studies; 223 prevalence estimates) were included. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across the studies. ... Pathogen occurrence was generally higher in meat from suids, except for STEC, which was more prevalent in the game meat of ruminants.
    Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 2026 · checked 2026-09-29
20. deer-r3-21 · agency guidance
    CWD infections in people have never been reported, and so far, it's not known if people could get infected with CWD. ... Strongly consider having the deer or elk tested for CWD before you eat the meat.
    CDC, About Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), reviewed January 21, 2026 · checked 2026-09-29
21. deer-r3-22 · case report
    Alpha-gal syndrome is an underrecognized, tick-associated allergic reaction that can cause delayed anaphylaxis, posing a growing diagnostic challenge in the emergency department. Transmitted most commonly by the bite of the lone star tick, this serious allergic reaction to red meat and other mammal products was once rare and geographically limited.
    J Emerg Nurs, 2026 · checked 2026-09-29
22. deer-r3-23 · animal study
    Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 24.1% of red deer (95% CI: 20.7%, 27.8%), 37.6% of wild boar (95% CI: 32.8%, 42.7%) and 30.4% of roe deer (95% CI: 22.0%, 40.5%).
    Parasite, 2015 · checked 2026-09-29
23. deer-r3-04 · systematic review of RCTs
    Seven RCTs were identified as satisfying all inclusion criteria and examined the effectiveness of velvet antler for rheumatoid arthritis (2), osteoarthritis (1), sexual function (1), and sporting performance enhancement (3). ... Two RCTs reported some positive effects of velvet antler supplements, but neither were convincing while the remaining five RCTs found no effect of velvet antler supplements. CONCLUSIONS: Claims made for velvet antler supplements do not appear to be based upon rigorous research from human trials, although for osteoarthritis the findings may have some promise.
    N Z Med J, 2012 · checked 2026-09-29
24. deer-r3-05 · randomized controlled trial
    This study investigated sexual function in men during a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of deer velvet. Thirty-two volunteer male participants, aged 45-65 years, and their partners, were randomly assigned to either the deer velvet or placebo study group. ... There were no significant differences in the sexual behavior of the men taking deer velvet compared with the men taking placebo capsules. There were no significant hormone changes from baseline to the end of the study in either group of men.
    Arch Sex Behav, 2003 · checked 2026-09-29
25. deer-r3-13 · case series
    Pediatric patients absorb lead from the GI tract more quickly than adults and may necessitate more urgent evaluation and treatment than adolescents/adults.
    Pediatr Emerg Care, 2019 · checked 2026-09-29
26. sf-leadgame-r5-1 · agency advice
    The modeled exposure estimates, based on currently available field data, indicate that even at the lowest exposure scenario, there is predicted risk of elevated lead levels in blood among children consuming venison shot with lead ammunition. ... We do know that pregnant women and children less than six years old are most at risk. These two groups in particular should avoid consuming venison shot with lead bullets or slugs, or ... venison from an unknown source. ... Identifying and discarding those portions of the deer carcass most likely to contain bullet fragments is one way to avoid lead exposure from venison.
    ATSDR (US CDC), Health Consultation: The Potential for Ingestion Exposure to Lead Fragments in Venison in Wisconsin, 2008 · checked 2026-10-08
27. sf-toxo-r4-2 · agency advice
    Eating contaminated undercooked meat (e.g., pork, lamb, venison) or shellfish (e.g., oysters, clams, or mussels) ... Women who are newly infected with Toxoplasma during or just before pregnancy can pass the infection to their unborn child. Although the mother may not have symptoms, the unborn child can have severe health issues.
    US CDC, Toxoplasmosis: Causes and How It Spreads · checked 2026-10-08
28. deer-r3-18 · systematic review
    Although thermal processing is well known to achieve broad-spectrum pathogen inactivation, its systematic evaluation as a controlled intervention specifically for game meat remains limited in the scientific literature.
    Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 2026 · checked 2026-09-29