Ok, I know this is kinda strange. I'm not sure how common it is actually, but I'm allergic to deer. Usually skinning or anything like that doesn't bother me too much, but working deer the other day it became a real problem. Throat closing up and allergies and all the fun stuff. Has anyone had this problem? If so, did you find any solutions?

People I have known with it wear latex gloves up to their elbows to gut deer, and even then it can be a chore. If you're working with live deer, I suspect you're going to need more drastic measures.

If your throat is closing up I'd consider talking to your doc about an EpiPen. Rather be safe than sorry.

Bummer.

I have the same problem and battled it for years.Finally found a solution a few years ago. First, go to the doctor and get a prescription for Albuterol..its an asthma inhaler, and you only need it right before you handle a deer. Second, go to the local pharmacy and get a nasal spray called Nasacort. Use it the day(s) you are hunting. These two things take care of 99% of the problem. If the blood getting on you makes you break out, wear latex or other rubber gloves while dressing the deer. Once it is skinned and hung and you are butchering, there doesn't seem to be an issue any longer.
You will probably find that you are allergic to all members of the cervid family ( deer) and in my case I found Im also allergic to Pronghorn antelope and Blackbuck.

That Albuterol sure does give me the shakes.

At one time I thought I was but found out it was the dandruff, dust & pollen that usually associated with deer (& dogs) being outside. Seems like when I was processing & skinning, all the stuff that was in/on the deer hide was causing the problem with me. I started taking an over the counter (allegra, claritin) & dosing with nose spray when I started messing with a deer and a lot of my problems went away....... Never had a problem with blood, but I wear gloves anyway (well, most of the time).

Probably the dandruff. If possible, wet the outside of the deer before skinning it.

My dad was highly allergic to the hair on any form of deer we came into contact with. As he got older, the worse the reaction became. At first it was merely his eyes and throat would swell a little bit. By the time I was 6 years old I was doing 99% of the gutting and skinning both his and my deer with a little help occasionally from my brother. Once the hair was off, he was fine with working the meat.

I still remember when I was about 12-13 years old, I got back to camp along with most of the other hunters but dad was no where to be found. I knew where he was hunting that morning and had heard a shot in that direction, so I headed towards his stand. I found him about half way back, laying on the ground gasping for air, eyes swollen shut and the back of his hands looked like he had been badly beaten with a bull whip. After 20-30 minutes he was able to get enough air in his lungs, that I helped him back to camp, then went back to get his deer (a yearling). He decided he would merely fold up the legs and carry it like a suitcase until the reaction started really hitting him, he had made it maybe 100 yards from the deer when he collapsed.

from that point forward, he couldn't be around the deer with hair on it and had to wait on me or someone else to gut, skin and load. And I would have to take off my coat or outer shirt before even getting in the cab of the truck with him. If I had gotten any hair on my jeans, I would usually change to clean ones and toss the others in the bed of the truck.

He had similar reaction to CO/NM mule deer and elk as we would usually test it by merely dragging a single hair across his arm to which looked like a bull whip mark within a few minutes. He went to a number of different doctors but none seemed to be able to find exactly what is was he was allergic to ... so we guessed it was the dander or oils on the hair.

He and I were best hunting buddies up until he passed in 2004. I have cleaned countless deer for him and never minded a bit. But if I shot a hog or a turkey, I would look at him and say "ha, glad you aren't allergic to that!!! get busy!!!" ... we always had a good laugh about those.

dander and dust mites

Pretty sure I have an allergy to them also. Same as cats. I just hose them off before skinning and I'm fine.

You skin cats often?

Don't tell Bill 😉

Kung Pow Kitty

I heard they taste like chicken!