Health Facts About Wild Game

Wild game are animals that live in forests and protected lands in the United States. Each year, millions of American hunters kill wild game. Wild game species include deer, caribou, rabbit, duck, quail, pheasant, turkey, elk and antelope. The unique preparation guidelines and nutritional information for wild game meat is important to review and understand prior to consumption.

Nutrition

Wild game has lower fat content compared with domestic meat because the animals are more active; the saturated fat content is also lower. Wild game meat also contains fewer calories. A cut of wild game meat may lower your caloric intake by as much as one-third compared with beef or pork, according to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Jennifer Nelson.

Vitamins and Minerals

Wild game meat contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals compared to domestic meats, according to nutritionists Ken Edwards and William J. Rice. Wild game animals consume live plants that have richer nutrient content compared with the feed domestic animals eat.

Lead Content

Lead-based ammunition can contaminate wild game meat, according to Nelson. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using only sections of wild game meat untouched by lead bullets. The concern regarding contamination is particularly important for pregnant women and young children who are more vulnerable to toxins.

Disease

Zoonotic diseases that pass from animals to humans may affect consumers of wild game if precautions are not utilized. Domestic meats are reviewed by the USDA and particular safety measures are employed in its processing. These protections do not exist for wild game. Wild game meat is vulnerable to uncontrolled environmental conditions, such as unmonitored disease. Avoid wild animals exhibitiing unusual behavior, such as poor coordination, drooling or lethargy, that may indicate a diseased animal. Use caution hunting deer or elk. A disease called chronic wasting disease, or CWD, affects these animals exclusively. Deer or elk meat derived from areas known for CWD occurrences may need to be tested for infection prior to consumption. For information about testing, contact your state wildlife agency. When dressing deer or elk, wear protective gloves and eyewear and avoid handling the animals' spinal cord tissue and brains.