Michigan deer hunters keep dying. Now we know why

Michigan deer season is only less than two weeks old, and already three hunters have turned up dead.

And now we know why.

According to a Fox News report, the men were ages 57, 65 and 83 and were found in Arenac and Tuscola counties in the state. And according to the report, officials believe they had heart attacks while hauling heavy deer back to their vehicles after kills.

“Deer hunting typically involves hiking to a stand or blind, waiting in the cold for hours, and then dealing with a sudden surge of adrenaline when a deer is spotted,” Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and senior physician at VitalSolutin, told Fox.

“When a hunter hits the deer, they have to track the deer, often a long distance over rough terrain,” he continued. “When the deer is found, it must be transported back to a vehicle. This typically involves pulling a 100- to 200-pound animal over varied terrain.”

Serwer told Fox that “cold exposure increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms, especially ventricular arrhythmias that can cause sudden cardiac arrest.”

Mix that with the adrenaline rush, which Serwer told Fox can “increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest,” as well as the walking in and out of standing locations, and it can create “a strain on the cardiovascular system.”

And if you have to make the return trip while pulling a heavy deer, it can be really taxing.

Serwer said fox hunters can reduce their risk of such an incident by trying to “stay in shape.”

He also recommended trying to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and dress appropriately. He also suggested carrying a phone in case you need to call for help.

You can read more about the deaths and the suggestions to avoid tragedies in the field here.