Need advice: Handling of coyote and fox. Rabies? Plague?

[mannyrock]

 
Dear Guys,
 
   I am posting this on the trapping board, instead of varmint hunting board, because I feel that you guys may have more experience with the questions.
 
   I am a beginner varmint hunter, for coyote and fox.  I plan to skin each one I kill.
 
  Both coyote and fox can carry rabies.  And, coyotes carry fleas, that in some areas carry the plague.  So, when you get one of these animals, what do you do about protecting yourself from these risks.
 
   West Tennessee is full of coyotes, and I attended a coyote hunting seminar in a small town years ago, held of all places in the town hall.  The speaker, a full time coyote shooter, said that when approaches the downed coyote, he puts on rubber gloves, and goggles.  He then puts the coyote in a big plastic garbage bag, and sprays flea killer into the bag.  He closes it up and lets it sit for two hours.  This is how he handles the flea/plague risk.   (He didn't mention rabies.)
   
   All advice welcome.
 
Regards, Mannyrock
 
   

[Bogmaster]

 His advice on taking care of fleas, was a good one.Also when dispatching a catch, do not shoot in the head.
 When skinning and putting up your catch, wear an apron and latex or nitrile gloves.
 I quit skinning all animals --bare handed,many many years ago.
 Tom

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Manny, that sounds like good advice..our trapper here does the same with foxes and coyotes...another gov't trapper in northern Wy. doesn't even pick up coyotes he has taken...he contracted plague from them several years ago...

[Macthediver]

I don't have the amount of fleas they deal with in other areas. But the bag and spray thing seems to be what I hear most. Like Tom I quit skinning bare handed many years ago after my son got Cat Scratch Fever. Yes it is real and more than just a song. At the time the doctor that was looking after my son recommended I get a rabies vacination. Told him about the different critters I handle when he was figuring out the deal with the boy. Which he eventually figure the boy was exposed playing with farm cats and not my critters. I did have myself tested a few years ago to see if my rabies vac was still good and they gave me a booster?
Mac

[fishdaddy]

everything around here has fleas the beaver are the worse

[billy_56081]

There is a vacination against plague but I am not sure if it is available to the general public. It was one of the rounds of shots we got in the Army.

[Bogmaster]

 Fish ,Our beaver in the north country are a pleasure to handle.I have only had a couple--out of thousands, that were infested.
 Tom

[fishdaddy]

every beaver i have ever caught have been loaded with them