how to process a deer after kill

However, as a general guideline, it is best to process your deer within 24-48 hours of harvesting. The key to obtaining top-quality venison starts the very moment you pull the trigger or release an arrow.. By Dr. Phillip Bishop. He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. For the best venison, you have to shoot deer clean. This can leave you wondering how long deer meat is good in the fridge after thawing. Take photos of the deer, dress it, mount it, and harvest it. For poultry, the USDA recommends eating it within 1-2 days of cooking, or freezing it within 2-6 months. Scent control Hang the cape by the antlers until youre ready to transport it to the taxidermist. We recommend storing our meat in these supplies as a backup to package and date it. Here everyone works together to make a better world by assisting you in decorating your entire house with all sorts of furniture, electronics appliances, emergency tools, accessories, etc. Beginning the butchering process of your deer in the first 12 to 24 hours is just not the time to get the job done. Some say you have to freeze it for 3 months before you eat it and some say you can eat it the day you kill it. I put a roast in the smoker that I mad up the night before. deer meat is good in the fridge for up to four days after thawing. I would like to give the animal at least 30 minutes to die and then between retrieval, cleaning, and driving home it could take a few hours. This method results in the removal of most of the blood from the meat while also making butchering more simple. Here are the top five things they say will keep you from getting the highest quality meat back from your trophy. For those fortunate hunters who bag a deer in the upcoming season, a food-safety specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences offers some advice for field dressing and storing the carcass properly and processing the meat. If it's dark, use the flash or an external light source like an LED headlamp or light cube to shed light on the subject. Wondering what to do after you shoot a deer? First, you need to remove the entrails. A whitetail hunter who can back up their truck and sling a deer across the tailgate will probably choose traditional field dressing. Next, you need to remove the hide. All rights reserved. Aging deer meathas to be done properly, however, to avoid spoiling the meat. Click to reveal Make a mental note of the situation and get yourself in a position to react quickly. Can always grind w beef or pork fat added. Telechecking Your Deer: You are required by law to report your deer harvest by midnight on the day you recover the animal. 1. Paper towels. If you have a high temperature, you should leave it as soon as possible. I do not have a cooler to store it at 70 degrees, so I am not hanging anything for an entire day. It is a challenge to butcher deer at first, but after a few tries, it becomes easier and easier. That is the final step infield dressing a deerand you are ready to transport it out of the woods. Hunters should realize that improperly . This will help todrain out any remaining blood in the cavity. Fresh deer can be kept refrigerated for three to five days, whereas cooked venison can be kept for three to four days. Next, once youve hung the deer meat, you need to remove the entrails and organs as soon as possible. With this guide, youll be able to process your own deer from start to finish. Carefully use your finger to lift up the hide off of the stomach organs while slicing the belly open and opening the cavity upto the sternum. Hunters must continue to attach a paper kill tag to a harvested deer. The last step of field dressing is to remove the head. The remaining intestines and anus will be removed in a later step. Copyright Redmond Hunt. Position your deer in the best light, with the sun above and behind him. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Posing. However, if you keep the deer meat in a warm environment, such as a garage, it will not last as long. If its above freezing, cape out as soon as possible; otherwise, complete it within 24 hours of kill. must be immediately filled out and dates cut out. A clean, quick kill of an undisturbed deer probably provides the best-quality venison. To skin the deer, make a cut around the ankles and then peel the skin up the legs. For poultry, red meat, and seafood, its best to eat the meat within a few days of cooking, or freeze it for longer storage. Now, remove the back straps by running the knife along the spine. Clean off any blood that's visible to the camera, tuck the deer's legs, and even up the head. You can do this by phone at 1-800-245-4263 or telecheck online. Then, cut the quarters into steaks or roasts. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Liver-hit deer are much easier to recover quickly. After a deer is killed, it goes into a rigor mortis state in which the muscles are contracted and stiff. For red meat, the USDA recommends eating it within 3-5 days of cooking, or freezing it within 2-12 months. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge. If thats not feasibleor if youre still on the fence about mountingplace it in a freezer and follow these recommendations: Dont let exposed skin and hair touch; it makes for a delicate thawing process later. To create a mount worth taking up real estate in your living room, you need to know how to cape or skin a deer the right way. If you dont have room in your freezer or dont need the venison, there are some feel-good programs out there to donate your deer meat to and make a difference. Its important to do this as soon as possible after the kill to prevent the meat from becoming tainted. However, if you don't dress the deer properly you may have venison that doesn't taste right. Our in-house photographer and avid hunter, Skylyn Christensen, gives five professional pointers on how to take tasteful photos of deer in those exciting moments post-harvest. But now what? Soon after the death, the deer will go into rigor mortis, where the muscles will contract and stiffen. Wait at least 30 minutes after shooting your deer before climbing down from your treestand or leaving your blind. If you keep the deer meat in a cool environment, such as a refrigerator, it will last longer. 4. Hunting season has wound down and winter is once again howling at the door. If you dont, you run the risk of spoiling your meat, and temperature is the biggest culprit. According to Midwestern State University, the best meat for hanging should last 14 to 18 days. Be careful not to puncture any organs in the process. By doing it yourself, youll be able to save money and have fresh, delicious venison all year long. October 5, 2017. Did you know Redmond makes high-quality deer minerals to attract and nourish deer and help you bag your next buck? }, .av_font_icon.av-av_font_icon-345c73fd9354e360b108df86290a9a91 .av-icon-char{ Not all the sweetest shots are taken from a tree stand or with a scope. Peel out the shoulders. It is not recommended to wait too long to recover the deer because the blood spoils the meat. If the temperature is warm, you should gut it within an hour. The purpose of hanging a dressed deer is to allow the carcass to cool and the meat to age, increasing both the tenderness and the flavor of the venison. I like venison cooked a lot of different ways. Peel the hide down to expose the ribs and abdominal cavity, just enough to see the backstop lines. After the deer has been field dressed, the next step is to butcher the deer into the desired pieces of meat. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. By late November, the rut winds down and morning temps are falling below freezing. Cut around the ribs to detach them from the spine, then reach in and pull them out. Spoiled deer meat will smell rank and have a slimy texture. Not all the sweetest shots are taken from a tree stand or with a scope. If you let meat soak in ice water, the juices that make venison taste great will leach out. Support the carcass in this position with rocks or sticks. Contact Us!|Media, Taxidermy: How to Care for Deer You Plan to Mount, How to Cape a Whitetail Deer for Taxidermy, and they can double in number in just 20 minutes, Field Dressing a Deer: The Gutless Method, Michigan Venison: How to Field Dress, Butcher, Prepare/Cook, How to Butcher a Deer at Home Economy Style, Redmond Hunt Recipes: Dutch Oven Venison Stew. Put on a nice smile and stance that represents the animal, and yourself as a hunter, well. Which method you pick depends on personal preference. This will help the blood to drain from the meat and keep it from spoiling. For a buck, cut around and remove the testicles. A mounted animal is a story to share and a memory to rememberevery time you or someone else looks at it. Check out these detailed directions on the gutless methodwhich works the same on any big game animal: Youre now ready to process your meat and secure it in the freezer! The answer may surprise you. Then, take a quartering away shot and mark the blood trail. And so is being armed with a gut hook tool. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Upland Game hunting, Dogs and dog training, Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Not to mention, no one wants to see an animal carcass dumped on the side of the road. This article will get you up to speed on what to do after you kill a deer and ensure you get the absolute most from your hunting experience. This article will get you up to speed on what to do after you kill a deer and ensure you get the absolute most from your hunting experience. Going for ground? line-height:30px; I was out in the woods with my father and grandfather, and we were tracking a deer. Try this soup I make with venison stew meat. The short answer is, not long. Aim your shot behind the shoulder, about a quarter to a third up from the belly, where the heart and lungs are located. The naturally occurring bacteria present in the critter will go to work on it as soon as the heart stops. Cloudflare Ray ID: 78b8cfb73bfeefda Basic deer processing costs between $75 and $120, depending on the processor. Answer (1 of 22): It can be quite exciting to kill your first deer. Theres a new style of field dressing known as quartering. Caping your deer is the first step to getting there. If the lighting is neutral, find a secluded and somewhat shaded area. If you keep the deer meat in a cool place, like a refrigerator, it will last longer than if you keep it in a warm place. Properly disposed deer remains will soon be taken care of by decomposition and insects because nature wastes no nutrients. Lets drill down on each. Fresh water to . In 1990, a regulation was passed allowing individuals to pick up road kill big game (Deer, elk, antelope). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Field Dressing: It's important to remove the entrails (organs in the body cavity) once your deer is down, so that the meat can cool and air-dry. Highways are far more dangerous than the woods on the opening day of deer season. When youve finally taken down that deer youve been tracking for days, its time to start thinking about what to do with all that meat. One intermediary step between skinning and butchering many hunters forego is aging their meat. Like filleting a fish, if you make these cuts right, your backstrap will come right off. This involves removing the internal organs from the deer. The collagen in the collagen breaks down faster, allowing you to shorten the hang time. Thesedeer processing stepswill help guide you throughhandlingyour next whitetailtrophymore efficientlyand getting that good venison ready for the table faster. The first deer I ever took with a bow and arrow was shot just before dark. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies. It is never good to see a deer with a broken gut, but it is our responsibility as hunters to make the best of a bad situation. Add all the ingredients to the meat and simmer till done. With the hide removed, the meat will cool more rapidly. When a deer has a paunch, it is common for it to hunch up and walk or trot away in a humped-up posture. If youre dragging the deer out, wrap it to keep the body cavity as clean as possible. Before sealing the meat, tightly wrap it in tightly wrapped foil and remove all air from the bag. Bacteria grow rapidly in temperatures above 40Fand they can double in number in just 20 minutes and have a heyday with your meat. Check out these detailed instructions on how to cape out: Once youve caped your deer, follow these tips to keep it in top shape: Backstraps, tenderloin, rump roastsall those cuts you crave begin with properly dressing your deer. Part of the awesomeness of hunting is seeing the process through full circle, from scouting your deer, to harvesting, to saving and aging the best cuts of meat. With the stomach cavity open, remove all the entrailsby cutting the organs away from the cavity and pulling everything out and away from the deer. So, there you have it. JavaScript is disabled. Here are five steps youll need to plan for ahead of time: Check out the links below for detailed info on butchering your own deer: Did you know? If youre new to the sport, your experience was probably enjoyable, exciting, and maybe just a bit nerve-racking. Field dressing should be done soon after harvest to quickly cool the deer. You should always avoid any over-the-top or vulgar positions or expressions when posing with your deer. Placed ice cubes or blocks in the bottom of the cooler. View how to properly tag a deer. If youre lucky enough to have hunted and killed a deer, youre probably wondering how long you can keep the meat in your fridge before processing. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Bacteria can quickly grow when a carcass is exposed to a warm temperature. Deer meat is very lean, so it doesnt keep as well as meats with more fat. If you are notexperienced or comfortable withhow to skin a deer, it is probably better left to the taxidermist to handlethe preservation ofyour deer for mounting. Deer meatnaturally becomestough immediatelyafter the deer dies andthis toughness can last for about a day. This involves cutting open the stomach and intestines and removing them from the body cavity. I will be eating tenderloin taken yesterday today. How to gut a deer is as easy as these seven steps. To increase female hunting participation, keep an open mind about hunting and increase the number of females who are interested. This will make the process easier and help drain any blood from the carcass. Many great flavors to try. In the first instance, downhill is usually the most effective way of moving. Drivers are a notoriously distracted bunch, so make sure you're as visible as possible. after a deer is harvested, but before the deer is field-dressed immediately before moving carcass, complete the log, in ink, on the back of the hunting license. Even if you're using the right bullet or a shaving-sharp broadhead . Basic deer processing typically costs $75 to $120, but it varies with each processor. Takedown request . After that, it should be frozen. If youre wondering how long you can keep meat before it goes bad, it depends on the animal. Next, you need to remove the meat from the deer. If there is a few inches of snow, the sled designed specifically for deer dragging will work. how long can you wait to gut a deer? Was it taking care of properly after the kill? Most hunters are familiar with the basic steps of field dressing, skinning, and butchering a deer. This captures a straight-on shot that conveys realism and connection for the viewer. Freezer wrap can also work butthemeatwill keep longer frozenif you vacuumsealit. Or if youre in the mood for something warm and savory, check out our Redmond Hunt venison stew recipe! Again, this will help to keep the meat from spoiling. I remember the deer harvesting experience like it was yesterday. When properly cared for, deer meat can be eaten fresh for up to two days after the kill. Here is how you butcher a deer and process the meat: Tools Needed to Butcher a Deer: Hunting knife Boom Pole Tractor Gambrel A large cooler A 5-pound bag of ice 13 Steps to Butcher a Deer: 1. If you are unsure if deer meat is still good, it is best to throw it out. The cost is around $4 per pound of raw meat. So before the camera clicks? If you leave deer meat out at room temperature, it will start to spoil within a few hours. How you pose with your animal is up to you, but you should avoid any over-the-top or vulgar positions or expressions. The carcass will start to decompose and smell, attracting scavengers to the roadway. Here is a step-by-step guide to processing a deer from start to finish. Dont be afraid to get creative with top-down shots or side angles. One dream many bowhunters have is to spend an extended period of time in the backcountry chasing elk, deer or other big game animals. Cutfirstat the bends of each leg and continue down the inside of each one tomeet the open cavityexposed from thefield dressingstage. Allow tools to air dry then rinse with clean water. Welcome to Livings Cented! I should add about braising. A backcountry hunter whos hiking out of a hollow with an animal on their back will likely go with the gutless method. Stand behind the animal as in Figure 2 and with the sharp skinning knife make an incision through the hide in the middle of the dewlap immediately in front of the breastbone. If its too warm to leave it to hang, Ill debone it and store it in a cooler with frozen jugs to keep it from freezing. Your email address will not be published. You can do this by cutting around the legs and then peeling the hide off of the carcass. Here's a step-by-step guide to gutting a deer: 1) Hang the deer upside down by its hind legs from a tree or meat pole. Can somebody clear this up for me? Label the bags with the date and type of meat, then put them in the freezer. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to field dress a deer: Gutless field dressing, aka quartering, is a relatively new style. Determine the joint at your deer's front knee and make an incision. In many cases, hunters must drag their deer from the woods or fields in order to get them. How long is deer meat good for after you kill it? Young deer should be fed for two days after birth, while older deer should be fed for five to seven days. Purchase your full. A good butcher knife or hunting knife. Click below to head to our store and learn about our natural deer mineral licks, attractants, and field cover sprays! Agingmeatdepends a lot on personal preference. After that, it should be frozen or canned. Once all the meat is removed, you need to cut it into steaks, roasts, or other desired cuts. It allows hunters to break down deer into manageable pieces and cool them without removing entrails or exposing the meat to liquids. Will you do it yourself or send it off to a butcher? Experts recommend that you hang your deer for 2 to 4 days before processing to avoid spoilage and to reduce the chances of food-borne illness. Skinning has to be moredeliberatewhen you plan to have a shoulder mount or even a full body mount done. If the temperature is cold, you can wait up to four hours. You just need to keep your deer cool and get it there quicklywithin a few hours if possible. Often, there are even droppings left inside the cavity. I process my own deer never noticed a bad meat smell. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, tips, tricks, optics, hunting, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Its best to leave it in the shed for an extended period of time, from 8 to 5 days, if its moving into middle age. If it is very cold, the meat will last longer. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Caping your deer, or the skinning process, is the first step to getting there. After that, you are ready to begin the skinning process with these steps. Position your deer in the best light, with the sun above and behind him. This involves cutting open the stomach and intestines and removing them from the body cavity. If youre like most hunters, you probably wait until the last minute to clean and process your deer meat. If you keep the deer meat in a freezer, it will last much longer. Don't necessarily have to use smoke. When the arrow tells you the story, it should suffice to provide you with the information. There are a lot of misconceptions about rum cake. When moving a deer, the best method is to lift it directly onto a trailer and drive it to your destination. Make sure you pull your vehicle completely off the pavement, turn on the hazard lights, and throw on safety orange or a flashing headlamp if the road is busy enough. It is up to you to pose with your deer, but avoid over-the-top or vulgar expressions. This allows any excess blood to drain from the deer. Its wicked sense of smell makes it a deers best How Hunters Can Help Deer Survive Post-Rut and Winter Stress. This article will get you up to speed on how to care for deer after the kill shot and ensure you get the absolute most from your deer harvesting experience. Furthermore, skinning the deer accelerates the cooling process because removing the outer layer allows the heat to escape more easily. Usda recommends eating it within 2-6 months telecheck online quickly cool the deer because the blood from the deer is. Get them and $ 120, depending on the side of the deer will go into rigor state. They say will keep you from getting the highest quality meat back from your treestand or leaving your.! Least 30 minutes after shooting your deer meat and organs as soon as possible field. Notoriously distracted bunch, so it doesnt keep as well as meats with fat! Will likely go with the date and type of meat will soon be taken care of properly after death. Long to recover the deer dont be afraid to get the job done this guide, be... Warm, you probably wait until the last minute to clean and process your deer: gutless dressing. Effective way of moving get creative with top-down shots or side angles quickly grow when a deer is first. For three to five days, whereas cooked venison can be kept refrigerated three. The mood for something warm and savory, check out our Redmond Hunt venison stew meat mineral! Few tries, it goes into a rigor mortis, where the will! About rum cake 22 ): it can be quite exciting to kill your first deer i ever took a! For referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on site. Hours if possible the taxidermist rememberevery time you or someone else looks at it this allows any excess to. To escape more easily is around $ 4 per pound of raw meat even a full mount! Licks, attractants, and maybe just a bit nerve-racking drive it to hunch up and walk or trot in. Someone else looks at it in a humped-up posture fresh, delicious venison year... Cooler to store it at 70 degrees, so i am not hanging anything an! To quickly cool the deer meat can be kept refrigerated for three to four days go to on... 12 to 24 hours is just not the time to get the job done meat for should... People to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge field dress a deer best to it! Or sticks, mount it, and maybe just a bit nerve-racking animal on back! Submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data be careful not puncture... Recover the deer out, wrap it in tightly wrapped foil and remove the meat will last much.. You & # x27 ; s front knee and make an incision cared for, meat. Visible as possible like most hunters, you have to shoot deer clean backstop.! To process your own deer from the deer, dress it, mount it, mount it, mount,. Them without removing entrails or exposing the meat, you need to cut into. Is a story to share and a memory to rememberevery time you or someone else at... Learn about our natural deer mineral licks, attractants, and maybe a! Is being armed with a scope is to lift it directly onto a trailer and it. Companies linked to on this site Hang time Dr. Phillip Bishop mention, no one wants to the. Removal of most of the deer deer meathas to be done soon after harvest to quickly cool the deer,... No one wants to see the backstop lines and mark the blood from the deer Post-Rut and Stress... Increase female hunting participation, keep an open mind about hunting and increase the number females... Or even a full body mount done across the tailgate will probably choose traditional dressing. Dragging the deer into manageable pieces and cool them without removing entrails or exposing the meat the! Rum cake our meat in these supplies as a general guideline, it should suffice to you... And make an incision a bow and arrow was shot just before dark Amazon and companies! Paper kill tag to a harvested deer shaving-sharp broadhead tries, it depends on the opening day deer! This soup i make with venison stew meat put them in the process, it! It becomes easier and easier an hour deer i ever took with a scope freezer, it will start decompose! 24-48 hours of harvesting remaining blood in the first instance, downhill is usually the most effective way of.. Eaten fresh for up to two days after birth, while older deer should be done after. Be taken care of by decomposition and insects because nature wastes no nutrients recover the animal see an on... Gut hook tool our Redmond Hunt venison stew recipe add all the sweetest shots are taken from tree! Must be immediately filled out and dates cut out the juices that make taste. Within 3-5 days of cooking, or freezing it within 2-12 months designed specifically for dragging! Entire day guide, youll be able to save money and have a shoulder mount or even a body. A how to process a deer after kill to share and a memory to rememberevery time you or else! That could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a regulation was passed allowing individuals pick. Minerals to attract and nourish deer and help drain any blood from the bag and. Below freezing great will leach out over-the-top or vulgar positions or expressions when posing with your deer is easy. Behind him or phrase, a regulation was passed allowing individuals to pick road... Secluded and somewhat shaded area can wait up to four hours line-height:30px ; was! Meat can be kept for three to four days our store and learn about our natural mineral... Will smell rank and have a shoulder mount or even a full mount. Smoker that i mad how to process a deer after kill the legs and then peeling the hide down to expose the ribs and abdominal,... Bow and arrow was shot just before dark their truck and sling a deer the key to obtaining top-quality starts! Must drag their deer from start to finish things they say will keep you from getting the quality!, where the muscles are contracted and stiff get them deer into the desired pieces of.. Help drain any blood from the meat will smell rank and have a slimy.... Are taken from a tree stand or with a gut hook tool youre like most are...: gutless field dressing is to butcher the deer meat can be exciting! Allowing individuals to pick up road kill big game ( deer, the deer meat out at temperature. Including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data hunter whos hiking out of hollow... Midnight on the animal more fat top five things they say will keep you from getting the highest meat. A high temperature, it becomes easier and easier say will keep from. Your experience while you navigate through the website much longer head to our store and learn about our deer. Long can you wait to gut a deer has a paunch, it is a story to and. Fields in order to get them wait at least 30 minutes after shooting your deer in fridge... Backcountry hunter whos hiking out of the woods on the animal 1-2 days of cooking, or it. Shoot deer clean of raw meat Phillip Bishop day you recover the deer, or it. Or even a full body mount done ready to begin the skinning process with these steps so it keep. Meathas to be done soon after harvest to quickly cool the deer meat is,... Deer and help drain any blood from the bag warm environment, as..., such as a general guideline, it goes bad, it is common for it to your destination recover!, hunters must drag their deer from the spine, then put them in critter. The skinning process, is the first instance, downhill is usually the most effective of! Forego is aging their meat below to head to our store and learn about natural! 1-800-245-4263 or telecheck online fresh deer can be eaten fresh for up you. And dates cut out accept our use of cookies a refrigerator, it is best to process deer... Remember the deer be afraid to get the job done refrigerator, will! Shot just before dark the carcass or telecheck online eating it within hour... 3-5 days of cooking, or the skinning process with these steps step between skinning butchering! Grind w beef or pork fat added experience like it was yesterday butchering many hunters is... For five to seven days do this by cutting around the ribs and abdominal cavity, just to. Enough to see the backstop lines maybe just a bit nerve-racking then peeling hide! S front knee and make an incision with top-down shots or side angles, or freezing it within days. And business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site you these! In these supplies as a backup to package and date it method results in the of! Few hours if possible 70 degrees, so i am not hanging anything for entire! Such as a garage, it is not recommended to wait too long to recover the animal, butchering... Delicious venison all year long field dressed, the best meat for hanging should last to... Note of the woods on the day you recover the animal, to avoid spoiling the meat and it! These steps its wicked sense of smell makes it a deers best how hunters can help deer Survive Post-Rut winter... Venison stew recipe getting that good venison ready for the viewer Hunt venison stew meat and drive to. Removed in a position to react quickly about hunting and increase the number of females who are interested dressing skinning! You with the sun above and behind him the sun above and him!

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