Login

“Yellow fat” disease – Dangerous or not?

Photo courtesy of Mathew Harold Emery.

The topic of yellow fat, or “yellow fat” disease as it’s commonly referred to, comes up in conversation quite frequently in both big game and small game hunting circles. This is usually attached to a few happy snaps of a skinned or gutted animal, and is always followed up with the question – is this safe to eat?

Many punters spout the old phrase “If in doubt, throw it out”, speculating that it’s caused by injury or infection. But what is it really?

Yellow fat is a genetic trait that is determined by a recessive gene. Alfalfa and other green feed contain xanthophyll, a fat-soluble compound that is yellow in colour. Animals with the yellow fat gene lack an enzyme that turns the xanthophyll pigment clear. Therefore, the xanthophyll pigment is deposited in the body fat making it yellow. The only concern that you, as a meat eater, would face is a preference to the colour of body fat.

Chances are, you probably trim the fat off anyway. So don’t stress, the animal is safe to eat. Dig in!

Built for Hunters. Made for Australia.

Join Oz Fish and Game and connect with those who live the lifestyle — training, fieldcraft, and mateship for the modern outdoorsman.

JOIN TODAY

Other recent posts...

Suggested posts

30-Second Fieldcraft: Stop, Look, Listen, Smell (SLLS)

The SLLS acronym stands for Stop, Look, Listen, and Smell. Its origins trace back to Special Forces, who used it to enhance situational awareness and adapt to unfamiliar environments. Many hunters have since adopted the concept with great success. The key to its effectiveness is that it forces you to slow down and analyse your surroundings before making a decision or moving further. By doing so, you’re far less likely to bump a deer or other game while moving through the scrub.

Two Classes of Australians: Culture-Based Discrimination and Government Hypocrisy

Politicians claim to place equal value on each of their constituents, regardless of where they come from or who they are. In reality, they pick and choose who to discriminate against, guided by political optics and personal agendas. Their most common targets are hunters, anglers, and law-abiding firearm owners.

In this article, I outline the prevalence of culture-based discrimination in Australia and question why our recreational pursuits are constantly threatened with extinction—despite having deep roots in every corner of our multicultural society.

The NSW State Forest Hunting Ballot

Each year, deer enter their peak breeding season between March and May. During this time, their natural defence mechanisms are relaxed as they focus more of their attention towards finding a mate, and less on self-preservation. This period is commonly known in Australia as the rut, or the roar. As a result of these behavioural changes, deer become easier to hunt, making it a popular time of year for hunters to book into NSW state forests.

If you’re planning a trip during the rut, you’ll need to understand how access works. The three most popular NSW state forests switch from normal bookings to a ballot system. This article breaks down how it works, why it exists, and what you need to know before entering.

30 Second Fieldcraft: The Hunter’s OODA Loop

The OODA Loop was developed as a decision-making framework for aerial combat, designed to produce faster, more accurate responses under pressure. By consciously cycling through this simple 4-step process, pilots were able to outthink and outmanoeuvre their opponents in real time.

Today, the same principle is used everywhere from military strategy to business leadership, but it’s just as relevant in the field. For hunters, the ability to rapidly interpret new information and act on it can be the difference between a successful stalk and a missed opportunity.

Non-members get: A basic overview of the OODA Loop process.
Members get: Advice on improving decision-making quality, along with a practical example of applying the OODA Loop during a hunt.