Q.Deer Processing & Food Safety
How do I remove the glands when processing a deer?
A.
The main glands to remove are the tarsal glands (on the inside of the rear hocks) and the metatarsal glands (on the outside of the rear lower legs). Cut them off whole before any other field-dressing cut. The tarsals are dark, scent-soaked patches; the metatarsals are smaller white patches lower down.
Use a separate knife or wash thoroughly between gland removal and meat work. Tarsal scent transfers fast and contaminates anything it touches.
For lymph nodes (relevant in CWD zones), state disease risk pages have specific guidance on which to retain for testing and which to discard.