As a Big Game Hunter In The GYA, How Can I Avoid Becoming Infected With Brucellosis?
A. The chance of a hunter becoming infected with brucellosis is very small, especially if he or she uses precautions, such as wearing protective clothing and gloves, using care with sharp instruments and washing thoroughly after handling animal tissues. It is important for hunters to use gloves and other barriers when handling the carcasses of bison or elk. Disposable latex gloves are cheap, easy to find and easy to carry. They also make cleaning up after field dressing the animal much easier. Latex gloves should be included in your bag of hunting essentials. In addition, when field dressing game, hunters should prevent their open wounds or mucous membranes from coming into contact with blood, reproductive tissues or other fluids from harvested game. Hunters should also avoid handling the reproductive tract or fetuses. And, as a general rule, hunters should not handle or eat animals that appear sick, regardless of the cause.
