Michigan Hunters Warned: Don’t Eat Deer Harvested Near This Marsh

Hunting season in Michigan is underway, but before you sharpen your broadheads or clear your shooting lanes, there's something you need to know: some of Michigan's deer come with more than antlers. They're packing what the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) refers to as 'forever chemicals.'

RELATED: DNR: Michigan's 2024 Deer Harvest Underreported by Nearly 75,000

What PFAS Means for Hunters

The Midland Daily News reports that tests have found deer in Michigan contaminated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in both their livers and muscle tissues. One particular troublemaker, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), has been linked to liver damage, high cholesterol, and even fertility issues. Not exactly the kind of side dish you want with your venison chili.

In case you're wondering, this isn't new. The MDHHS and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been sounding the alarm for years. Advisories were first rolled out in 2018, updated in 2019, and again in 2021. And yes, the warning is still in effect.

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Where the Problem Deer Are

So where are the problem deer? Northern Michigan. Specifically, deer harvested within a three-mile radius of Clark's Marsh in Oscoda Township, Iosco County. That's the hot zone for PFAS-riddled deer.

Other Wildlife Affected

And it's not just the deer. Fish from Clark's Marsh have been under a do-not-eat advisory since 2012, and by 2019, the state added more wildlife to the 'absolutely not' list, including frogs, turtles, crayfish, and muskrats. Basically, if it hops, swims, or crawls out of that marsh, it's not edible.

RELATED: 2025 Deer Season: Michigan County Hunters Bagged the Most in 2024

Bottom line: enjoy hunting season—but skip deer from Clark’s Marsh.