Field Dress a deer and leftovers - Page 2

Crankylove · October 9, 2008, 10:37 PM

Gut it where it drops, haul it out and hang it long enough for the rigor to pass, then butcher away

There is no reason to hang wild game like a side of beef (where you are letting the fat break down to help tenderize the meat). Most antelope, deer, elk, etc. don't have anywhere near the amount of fat it would take to help tenderize the meat. The longer you hang the carcass, the more meat dries out and becomes exposed to bugs and other contaminates, and the greater the chance of it starting to go bad and getting thrown in the trash.

DMacLeod · October 11, 2008, 09:29 AM

I'll gut a deer where it drops. Like others said why drag the extra weight out. Plus I prefer to get the paunch out as soon as possible.

October 9, 2008, 10:37 PM	#26
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	Gut it where it drops, haul it out and hang it long enough for the rigor to pass, then butcher away There is no reason to hang wild game like a side of beef (where you are letting the fat break down to help tenderize the meat). Most antelope, deer, elk, etc. don't have anywhere near the amount of fat it would take to help tenderize the meat. The longer you hang the carcass, the more meat dries out and becomes exposed to bugs and other contaminates, and the greater the chance of it starting to go bad and getting thrown in the trash. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

October 11, 2008, 09:29 AM	#27
DMacLeod Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 425	I'll gut a deer where it drops. Like others said why drag the extra weight out. Plus I prefer to get the paunch out as soon as possible.