How Long Do You Let a Deer Hang Before Processing?
12-03-2008, 07:16 PM
#13
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: WV
Posts: 419
RE: How Long Do You Let a Deer Hang Before Processing?
We typically let ours hang if its in the thirtys and twentys at nite around 2 weeks. My dad use to work at a butcher shop and he refuses to let them hang less than a week. We use to take them to a walk in cooler that charged a dollar a day and let them hang a week if it was too warm out.
12-03-2008, 07:29 PM
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Almost Heaven,WV
Posts: 4,087
RE: How Long Do You Let a Deer Hang Before Processing?
If you do process sooner you should let it thaw and sit in the fridge for several days to let the microbes break down the muscle tissue for tender eating.
12-04-2008, 08:18 AM
#17
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Horse Country, VA
Posts: 937
RE: How Long Do You Let a Deer Hang Before Processing?
The key issue is temperature outside, or where the deer is hanging. I shot 2 deer in a week and had both of them skinned and quartered the same day because the temps were high 50's to low 60's. I packed them in coolers with ice for a week and then soaked in water in refrigerator for 2 days before packaged and stored in freezer.
I wish it would have been cooler so I could hang for a couple days at the least to let all the blood drain from the meat. That is usually the purpose of hanging them is to let the blood drain from the meat.
I wish it would have been cooler so I could hang for a couple days at the least to let all the blood drain from the meat. That is usually the purpose of hanging them is to let the blood drain from the meat.
12-04-2008, 08:30 AM
#18
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: North Louisiana
Posts: 3,050
RE: How Long Do You Let a Deer Hang Before Processing?
I don't hang my deer. I skin and quarter the deer right after killing it. I then put the meat in an ice chest. I usually cut it up two or three days later. It then sits in the fridge for a few more days before I freeze it. In all, the meat usuallystays on ice and inthe fridge 6 to 7 days.
12-04-2008, 08:58 AM
#19
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,462
RE: How Long Do You Let a Deer Hang Before Processing?
Since I don't hunt close to home, I usually let my deer hang anywhere from 2 to 6 days depending on the weather. In the 30's I have no worries about it. I usually hang them at camp and then again when I get home. I try to get to them ASAP when I get home, but if the weather is right, I'll let them hang for a bit. As long as the weather is right, you can let a deer hang for a while.