Pre-exposure rabies vaccination to hunt deer is not necessary. The rabies virus is present in high amounts in the brain, spinal cord and salivary glands of an infected animal. It may also be found in nerves associated with the meat of an infected animal. The virus can survive for extended periods in carcasses properly preserved by refrigeration and freezing. Deer and other wild game may also contain bacteria that could cause illness if the meat is prepared or cooked improperly.
Thorough cooking destroys the rabies virus.
Hanging the deer does not eliminate the risk of rabies. Rabies is typically transmitted through a bite, or on rare occasion, through a scratch from a rabid animal. Infections through these types of nonbite exposures are rare. Remove gloves carefully and place them in a plastic bag for disposal or disinfecting. Disinfect gloves and utensils by soaking them in a commercially available heavy-duty liquid detergent or a fresh solution of one part household bleach to 10 parts water for about 20 minutes.