Archery season for whitetail deer begin's October 1, 2025, but there's one county in which health officials have issued a 'Do Not Eat' venison or fish from that area.

CWD and EHD have been a problem for Michigan's deer herd and hunters in certain areas for several years. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has issued warnings about both, and because of the spread of CWD, no baiting for deer is allowed in the Lower Peninsula. Now something else is affecting deer and fish in one Michigan County.

Eating Your Harvest of Venison or Fish

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Right up there with harvesting a whitetail deer or a walleye is getting to eat them. One of my favorite meals is the tenderloins of a fresh-harvested deer. I also love to eat fish, and almost every month throughout the year, I enjoy a great meal of fish that we caught in Michigan lakes, rivers, and streams.

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There is nothing like enjoying a plate filled with bluegills caught from a local Michigan lake. I want a good batch of fish more than I do a steak, but maybe that is just me.

Read More: Dorm Room Bear Skinning Raises Campus Eyebrows

Unfortunately, in some areas of Michigan, there are warnings against eating fish or wild game, particularly whitetail deer. I couldn't imagine living in a county where you can't eat either one.

Toxic Warning: Deer And Fish Unsafe In Michigan County

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According to MLive, if you hunt or fish in Northern Michigan's Iosco County, beware there is a 'Do Not Eat' advisory in place for deer, fish, and other wildlife taken with 3 miles of Clark's Marsh in Oscoda Township.

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The health department says there is evidence of PFAS and PFOS in livers and muscle tissue in deer,fish, and other wildlife in a 3-mile area of Clark's Marsh. Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base is said to have used Aqueous Film-Forming Foam that contains forever chemicals, and that the runoff contaminated water that flowed into the wetland affecting deer, fish, and other wildlife.

👇BELOW: Do Not Eat Fish From These Michigan Lakes & Rivers👇

Do Not Eat Fish From These Michigan Lakes & Rivers

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services eating fish from the following lakes and rivers could pose serious health risks. Be advised!

Gallery Credit: Lauren Gordon

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