Moving a Big Game Animal - Ohio Online Bowhunting Safety Education

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Chapter 7: Shot Placement & Recovery Techniques
Moving a Big Game Animal

Moving a big game animal from the field to your vehicle is strenuous work. If possible, get your hunting companions to help. You may want to use a drag rope or wrap the carcass in a slick tarp. Rest often, and don’t overtax yourself. This is hard work, even for hunters in excellent physical condition.

Be sure to cover your animal when placing it in your vehicle. By covering your animal, you’ll keep it free of contaminating dirt and also avoid offending nonhunters who would be upset at the sight of an animal carcass.

A responsible hunter will avoid displaying big game when transporting it through populated areas.

Cover game when transporting

Once an animal is in the vehicle, properly cooled, and hidden from sight, proceed immediately to your final destination or a licensed meat processing facility. Your responsibility for taking care of your animal ends only after the meat is preserved for personal use or is donated.

Cover game when placing it in a vehicle.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurological disease found only in elk and deer. The disease is similar to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as “mad cow” disease.

deer

Donating Game Meat

"Hunters for the Hungry" and many local donation programs are available to bowhunters who want to donate their animal to a worthy cause.

Although there is no scientific evidence that CWD can be contracted by eating animals infected with the disease, health officials recommend that hunters take precautions with game harvested in areas known to be infected with CWD.

Avoid eating body parts where CWD accumulates: brain, eyes, spinal cord, lymph nodes, tonsils, and spleen.
When butchering, bone out the meat—cuts that leave meat on the bone have a higher likelihood of contamination.

For the latest information on CWD, go to Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance and USDA - Animal Health online.

Chapter 7: Shot Placement & Recovery Techniques Moving a Big Game Animal

Chronic Wasting Disease

Donating Game Meat

Chapter 7: Shot Placement & Recovery Techniques
Moving a Big Game Animal