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fisherman66 · November 30, 2008, 01:13 PM

The weather was a bit on the cool side to really age well. The ballpark is 34-40 degrees F for as little as 3 days and as much as 10 or even more under very well controlled climes. You might want to consider hanging it in a garage with a tarp around it or skin on in the future. The goal is to allow the meat's natural enzymes to start breaking down the collagen while simultaneously inhibiting bacterial growth. If it freezes too fast rigidity never relaxes and the meat stays tough.

I've got a couple little does (quartered) in coolers sitting on top of ice as I type. I'll change the ice in a couple days and let it sit till perhaps Friday or Saturday. They should stay right around 33-34 degrees. Just remember to keep water off the meat. I have them in plastic bags and keep the ice under the meat not covering them.

Sorry to hear about the 'yotes. I'd rather loose both shoulders than 1/2 a hind.

November 30, 2008, 01:13 PM	#4
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,683	The weather was a bit on the cool side to really age well. The ballpark is 34-40 degrees F for as little as 3 days and as much as 10 or even more under very well controlled climes. You might want to consider hanging it in a garage with a tarp around it or skin on in the future. The goal is to allow the meat's natural enzymes to start breaking down the collagen while simultaneously inhibiting bacterial growth. If it freezes too fast rigidity never relaxes and the meat stays tough. I've got a couple little does (quartered) in coolers sitting on top of ice as I type. I'll change the ice in a couple days and let it sit till perhaps Friday or Saturday. They should stay right around 33-34 degrees. Just remember to keep water off the meat. I have them in plastic bags and keep the ice under the meat not covering them. Sorry to hear about the 'yotes. I'd rather loose both shoulders than 1/2 a hind. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!