A deer has a gray colored liver, OK to eat ?

Question

I shot a deer years ago and it had a gray liver and meat was terrible. What is it and is meat ok to eat ?

Answer 1

A gray colored liver would indicate a source of infection. We had an anthrax die-off on our ranch and, although we couldn't eat the deer, we were asked to shoot several and turn them over to Parks and Wildlife. I attended two necropsies and we saw deer with both gray and yellow livers.

I wouldn't have eaten the meat you're describing.

Answer 2

You shot a deer years ago? Is this meat you had in a freezer that has discolored? If so toss it. If you mean that you shot a deer years ago and were wondering about the meat from back then, same answer. As others have said, the liver should be red, not grey. Not sure what you mean about the meat being terrible. Did it smell bad or taste bad? It almost sounds like you shot a wounded deer that had been suffering for a few days with the wounds getting infected and spreading throughout the body. I sure wouldn't eat any meat from the animal, and would have probably notified fish and game to let them know incase it was some sort of disease going around.

Answer 3

Gray??? I sure would not eat it. A liver should be red if it is healthy. I would have taken the liver to fish and game to be tested to find out what caused it. I certainly would not have eaten any of the meat.

Answer 4

With CHD (Chronic Wasting Disease) and EHD disease going around, I wouldn't suggest eating any organ meats from Deer, but from past experience here on Answers it hasn't stopped many hunters from eating the liver anyway. Personally I wouldn't take the risk. As you were advised before the Liver should be red and not gray in color.I would pass if I were you.....

Answer 5

Sounds like it may have deer flukes. They are a grayish color with a purple tint. They kinda look like a blood clot but they surround themselves with this black - gray discharge that can effect the color of the whole liver if it is bad enough.

Except for infected liver tissue, the meat from infected animals is suitable for human consumption.

Definitely discard the liver....

Answer 6

I wouldnt eat the oil filter of a vehicle and I certainly will not eat the blood filter of an animal....I do love to eat deer,elk,moose and other big game meat but the live is not on my "to eat" list

Answer 7

I wouldn't eat it, liver should be red when raw. As far as why it was grey, could be diesased but what type of disease there are too many to tell.

Answer 8

That deer has been drinking with Ted Kennedy!

Answer 9

Absolutely not.* Bad idea.*