Deer meat can be crafted into a variety of cuts and meat products, including steak and sausages. Though it has the consistency of beef, deer meat is healthier than beef, according to Andrew Weil, M.D. Due to its nature as wild game meat, specific health problems related to field dressing and the health of the deer itself can impact the safety of consuming venison.
Field Contamination
Bacteria contamination may occur in the field after a deer has been shot, depending on how it's handled, according to Jeff Sindelar, a meat specialist at the University of Wisconsin. During the cleaning of the deer carcass, a hunter may puncture the deer's bladder, stomach and intestines, which can spill potentially dangerous bacteria onto the meat. An improperly cooled or stored deer carcass may also harbor various kinds of bacteria that develop on meat that's stayed warm for too long.
Chronic Wasting Disease
Some deer are afflicted with chronic wasting disease (CWD), which affects the deer's nervous system and brain. Symptoms include staggering, drooling or an emaciated appearance. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises individuals to avoid consuming meat from animals that possess these symptoms. The consumption of specific organs should also be avoided regardless of the deer's appearance, according to Sindelar at the University of Wisconsin. This includes the spleen, brain, eyes, lymph nodes and spinal cord.
Deer Tuberculosis
Humans can get tuberculosis by handling and eating deer that carry this disease, according to Dr. David Wolfgang, field studies director and veterinarian at Penn State University. Symptoms include bubble-like lesions on the meat.
Lead
Lead from bullet fragments can contaminate venison. Lead is especially dangerous for children, where it can cause permanent damage during a child's growth stages. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends throwing away any part of the deer that may have been hit by bullets. For example, the heart should not be consumed if the deer was killed by a shot to the organ.