Consumption of Wild‐Harvested Meat in Society

Abstract

Wild-harvested meat, defined as meat obtained through legal hunting of free-ranging wildlife, has been part of the food system for most of human existence. Nonetheless, description and measurement of current roles wild-harvested meat plays in nonsubsistence communities is lacking. To better understand this system and inform policy choices, we sought to identify characteristics of consumers, their consumption patterns, and how wild-harvested meat is distributed through society including opportunities and barriers to consumption. As part of a longstanding quarterly telephone survey with standardized protocol aimed at providing statistically robust representations of the Michigan, USA, population, we asked questions about wild-harvested meat. We estimate a majority of the current Michigan population (75% [95% CI = 71-78%]) and nonhunter population (59% [95% CI = 54-65%]) have consumed wild-harvested meat at least once in their life. Never having had an opportunity (22% [95% CI = 15-30%]), diet or lifestyle (16% [95% CI = 10-24%]), and taste or smell (14% [95% CI = 9-20%]) were the 3 reasons most frequently reported by nonhunters for never consuming wild-harvested meat. Thirty-three wildlife species were reported consumed, of which venison was the most common (96% [95% CI = 94-98%]). Among the general population, frequency of consumption during the 12 months prior to our survey was as follows: 28% (95% CI = 25-32%) never had previously consumed venison; 23% (95% CI = 20-26%) reported having consumed it, but not in the 12 months prior to the survey; 20% (95% CI = 17-23%) had consumed it once or twice in the 12 months prior to the survey; 15% (95% CI = 12-18%) had consumed it 3-10 times in the 12 months prior to the survey; and 14% (95% CI = 12-17%) had consumed it >10 times in the 12 months prior to the survey. Hunters' social networks played a key role in distribution of wild-harvested meat. Hunting experience, social network, and race were the only influential predictors of wild-harvested meat consumption. Hunting experience, social network, and level of urbanization of residence were the only influential predictors of frequency of venison consumption. Results identified pathways for movement of wild-harvested meat in human food systems and could inform policy that addresses wild-harvested meat.

Toxoplasma gondii in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Germany: a serosurvey based on meat juice

“…Although consumption of raccoon meat is rare in Germany, the increasing number of hunted animals may raise interest in use of their meat for human consumption. From the USA, it is known that raccoon meat is consumed, although to a lesser extent than other game animals and also that hunters do eat raccoon meat more often than non-hunters (Burger 2000 ; Gaines et al 2000 ; Goguen and Riley 2020 ).…”

Food Safety Considerations Related to the Consumption and Handling of Game Meat in North America

“…In North America, it is not uncommon for hunters to share processed game meat through informal markets that are largely driven by their social networks. In Michigan, most of the hunter (75% [95% CI: 71–78%]) and non-hunter (59% [95% CI: 54–65%]) populations reported consumption of game meat [ 75 ]. Meanwhile, Michiganders that have not consumed game meat reported diet and taste as leading factors for never consuming game meat [ 75 ].…”

“…In Michigan, most of the hunter (75% [95% CI: 71–78%]) and non-hunter (59% [95% CI: 54–65%]) populations reported consumption of game meat [ 75 ]. Meanwhile, Michiganders that have not consumed game meat reported diet and taste as leading factors for never consuming game meat [ 75 ]. Factors that had the greatest influence on the frequency of game meat consumption included hunting experience, social network, race, and urbanicity of place of residence [ 75 ].…”

“…Meanwhile, Michiganders that have not consumed game meat reported diet and taste as leading factors for never consuming game meat [ 75 ]. Factors that had the greatest influence on the frequency of game meat consumption included hunting experience, social network, race, and urbanicity of place of residence [ 75 ]. Another study in Michigan documented that deer hunters most commonly shared meat within tight social networks, including household members (69%), relatives (52%), friends neighbors, or coworkers (50%) [ 76 ].…”

“…Game meat throughout the world is presumed to be attained through localized market networks [ 77 ]. Although commerce of game meat in North America is illegal, it is not uncommon for recreational hunters to engage in informal markets or freely donate game meat to individuals closely linked to them within their social networks or to meat processors who provide the meat to food banks that distribute meat to the public [ 75 , 76 , 78 ]. In Illinois, venison from hunter-harvested deer and deer from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) managed local targeted culling CWD program is donated to food banks.…”