The following information is courtesy of Ward Stone with Wildlife Pathology Unit of the N.Y. State Dept of Environmental Conservation Rabies has affected a variety of wildlife in North Carolina including a small number of deer. No person in North Carolina, or any other southeastern state affected by raccoon rabies, has ever been known to contract rabies as a result of hunting, field dressing, butchering a deer or from consuming the venison. In fact, most hunters will never see a rabid deer, but are more likely to come upon a rabid raccoon, fox, skunk or woodchuck and should be alert to this risk.
Rabies affects the part of the brain that controls behavior.
Of deer tested for rabies, not all deer that displayed abnormal behavior were rabid. None of the normal-acting deer were found to be rabid. Don t take road-killed deer. Rabid deer may be more likely to be struck by a vehicle. Talk to your personal physician.