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Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
#3749635
11/13/12 12:17 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,055
BLUERIBBONS
OP
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,055 |
I don't think I have ever seen this subject discussed on here over the past couple of years. I read things a little more religiously now than I used to though. I know that obviously the current temperature would play a big role in the answers. So lets try two scenarios First when its 70 degrees and the night time temperatures won't drop below 45. Second when its 40 degrees and night time temperatures are going be around freezing. About 10 years ago I saw a buck on the back of hitch carrier going down the road. The buck hadn't even been field dressed yet and it was around 11am. I was thinking I wouldn't want to eat that meat!
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: BLUERIBBONS]
#3749654
11/13/12 12:22 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 500
Bill Waldschmidt
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I'm sure you'll hear differing opinions, but I can't imagine that I would ever not skin and quarter it immediately and throw it in a cooler.
Even field dressed I don't think I would want it to sit in 70 degrees for more than a couple hours.
At 40 you've got a lot more time, but I would still go ahead and skin and gut it at least.
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: Bill Waldschmidt]
#3749972
11/13/12 01:45 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045
Western
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045 |
I gut 1st thing, no matter the temps, sooner their out, the sooner it starts to cool.
70* is immediate ice and trip to the processor or cooler.
40* dropping to 32*, guts out and rinsed ( I use saltwater) I'm in no hurry, can wait till the morning. JMO
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: Western]
#3750127
11/13/12 02:14 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 586
Aboud
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Joined: Feb 2010
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I just leave it out regardless of temp or time and take it to a processor I know batches the meat and its all good. J/k I gut and wash and get there ASAP.
Last edited by Aboud; 11/13/12 02:15 AM.
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: Aboud]
#3750169
11/13/12 02:23 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,852
wacorusty
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,852 |
Gut immediately at either temp. Anything over 40 and it's straight to processor. Anything cooler and I'm okay with hanging. If I'm in South Texas it gets quartered and yeti'd.
"The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and assistance to foreign hands should be curtailed, lest Rome fall." Cicero
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: wacorusty]
#3750236
11/13/12 02:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496
Halfadozen
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Gut immediately no matter the temp. If between 42-45, will skin and hang covered in cheesecloth and process next day, or take it to a processor. If below 42 and above 32, will let it hang for a day or two no problem. Sometimes even more to "age" the meat. Best temps for more than a day are between 32 and 38.
Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again. -- Ronald Reagan
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: Halfadozen]
#3750636
11/13/12 04:03 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,721
Txduckman
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If I shoot a doe I will hunt a couple more hours and then gut. It is fine. Just quarter and put on ice soon after that. We had five deer to do Friday in 70 degrees so it took a few hours to get them all hunt and then done. Backstraps were delicious tonight.
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: Txduckman]
#3750682
11/13/12 04:19 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 689
CB09
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I gut as soon as i shoot but then wash it out and let it hang depending on the temp. We can't skin the deer per the processor so if it is anything above 50 i will put it in the walk in cooler after 3-4 hours. If it get saround freezing at night and not get above 45 i will let it hang for a day or so.
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: CB09]
#3750869
11/13/12 05:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,651
Ridn9high
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,651 |
Gut as soon as possible!
We do all oof our own cutting and grinding.
If the temps are 40-70 high, we will skin and let hang overnight. Like to let most of blood drain. Next day we cut all usable meat as possible.
If the temps are below 40 for the highs, we will let hang in shop for 1-3 days. Then cut the same as above
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: Ridn9high]
#3751299
11/13/12 02:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,124
LandPirate
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Posts: 11,124 |
Over 45 degrees I quarter and put the meat on ice. Under 45 and I'll either quarter it or may haul it to a processor field dressed. Really depends on if I have time or not and when the deer was shot.
For the most part, 45 degrees is the cut off point for me though.
Mike Buda, Tx Hunt near Freer
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: LandPirate]
#3753486
11/14/12 12:47 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 309
San Saba Hogman
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 309 |
I always gut 'em within an hour or so, no matter what temp. If possible, I'll quarter and drop into the ice chest. If it's really cold, I'll let 'em hang all night.
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: San Saba Hogman]
#3753657
11/14/12 01:27 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 269
TxCase73
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 269 |
Qtr, and put everything on ice for 3-5 days. Fresh ice daily, rinse meat before Fresh ice is added. Being that I qtr my deer, they're not hanging very long. Working on sub 40 degree meat is hard on my hands and, IMO, harder to work on. That cold fat is hell on knife blades as well.
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: San Saba Hogman]
#3753659
11/14/12 01:28 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 604
BgBkHunter
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Tracker
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I quarter and put it in the cooler as soon as possible. Then i leave it thier for 3 days draining the water and adding ice as needed. This takes out most of the blood and gamey taste if thier is any. It also helps tenderizes the meat.
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Re: Time limit for getting a deer to the processor?
[Re: BgBkHunter]
#3755945
11/14/12 06:53 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,314
Stump_jumper
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Posts: 3,314 |
Above 45 I skin and quarter without gutting. Below 45 I will gut and hang overnight. I process my own so I will always quarter before leaving the ranch.
2017 Tundra 5.7 CM 4x4 2006 Champion 2200 Bay Boat
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