Rabies vaccine for hunters?

Nope. Its just not worth the cost or aggrivation. If you handle a lot of racoon carcases, then maybe since they are the most common cariers of the disease in the wild. In 2006, almost 40% of reported wildlife rabies cases are from racoon. Bats are the next most frequent carriers, followed by skunk and fox. Deer were grouped with 'other', and the whole catagory amounted to 0.6% (thats about a half a percent, you read it correct)

Also in 2006, there were approx. 7,000 cases of rabies in animals reported, yet the CDC recieved reports of only 3 human cases. In the past 100 years, the number of human deaths from rabies in the United States has fallen from 100 or more per year to an average of 1-2 per year.

So, with one or two people a year dying per year in the whole US, and deer accounting for less that half a percent of all rabies cases reported, the odds are infintecimal, and not worth the hassle and cost of a vaccine. Also, like most vaccines, there is a risk associated with taking it, and its not good forever, will require a booster shot.

If youre really worried, wear dressing gloves (the ones that go up to the armpits) and a disposable facemask. Deer carry other pathogens that I would worry about more than rabies.

Honestly, the only thing I know of the human rabies vaccination is that once they are thought to be carriers of the disease that the person has to get between 14-17 injections around the belly button. I know 2 people who have gotten the rabies vaccination and they said it hurt like he!!.

And yes, like you said deer and livestock animals can get rabies- they are not common carriers, but it does happen.

There is far less chance of catching rabies than Lyme disease- which is extremely rare.

I had the rabies shots about 60 years ago.....I think it was 14 shots.

Costs??? I don't remember. Common wages were $3 per day, when there was work. That was in the cotton fields in the Mississippi delta.

Wear gloves and move on.