State officials are warning deer hunters that the relatively warm temperatures predicted for opening weekend across Wisconsin can affect the quality of their meat.
Cindy Klug, manager of the Bureau of Meat Safety and Inspection, says when temperatures are above 40 degrees harmful bacteria can grow quickly.
She says there are some things hunters can do to ensure the venison doesn't spoil quickly.
The state recommends field dressing the carcass immediately after harvest. It also recommends washing the body cavity with cold, clean water and putting it on ice or refrigerating it as soon as possible.
It also recommends not leaving venison or other wild game in a car trunk and avoiding hanging the carcass in the garage in warm weather.
