Treat hanging game with vinegar????

Jmac604

Jmac604

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So I went elk hunting this past October and was fortunate enough to get a nice bull on my second day. While hanging the elk to clean and quarter, a CO stopped into camp. After checking licences, etc he suggested to add some vinegar to water and wipe down the elk meat with that solution to act as a disinfectant and as a means to keep flies off the game.

I have never heard of that and was wondering if anyone else has? If so does it work?
 
I once had a local game cutter complain about the use of water/vinegar as he said it does the above but promotes mold growth when you hang the meat to let it age.
 
Jmac604 said:
So I went elk hunting this past October and was fortunate enough to get a nice bull on my second day. While hanging the elk to clean and quarter, a CO stopped into camp. After checking licences, etc he suggested to add some vinegar to water and wipe down the elk meat with that solution to act as a disinfectant and as a means to keep flies off the game.

I have never heard of that and was wondering if anyone else has? If so does it work?
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I have always washed out my big game with water and vinegar, cleans it up nice. I would not use pure vineger, too strong.
 
I have looked in to this a bit but have never used it. Sounds like it is a very popular method of wiping down after skinning. Haven't seen anyone say it has produced negative results.

From what I can see the negatives are just another myth that they heard somewhere.

I have always just used water but will try it in the future.
 
Brian46 said:
I once had a local game cutter complain about the use of water/vinegar as he said it does the above but promotes mold growth when you hang the meat to let it age.
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Please explain how this would promote mold growth? I have a little scientific background and fail to see how this would promote mold growth...
 
All we ever do is wipe down with dry hand brush and if flies are around come on with the black pepper.
I have never washed wild game because if you do it will not dry out the same and form that dry protective coating
that will protect the meat.
 
Twilldous said:
I have never washed wild game because if you do it will not dry out the same and form that dry protective coating
that will protect the meat.
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And the internet myths keep going.....

I have been around hundreds of dead game animals, more than most. No meat has ever been hurt or wasted from a wipe down or a rinse with a pressure washer using clean water.
 
We pack a spray bottle for use in the field. It's hit 20+ degrees a few times during these last moose seasons and the flies are ready to pounce - the vinegar keeps them at bay.
 
I think the key is to pat off the moisture after wiping it down. I hear some also use a salt and water solution.

I try to not even hunt if the weather is too warm.
 
I've heard of the vinegar wipe down, but as a mild disinfectant AFTER hanging beef for aging. Wipe down with a mild water/vinegar dilution shortly before if hits the bandsaw. I've never used it though, or had any issue with meat rinsed off with tap water prior to hanging.
 
crazy_davey said:
And the internet myths keep going.....

I have been around hundreds of dead game animals, more than most. No meat has ever been hurt or wasted from a wipe down or a rinse with a pressure washer using clean water.
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You are 100 % correct
Ours get washed with the hose then hung up to dry....never been an issue.
Both these guys were hanging up about 20 min after they got shot Friday. They will get cut up later this week when I get a day off

 
Mine get hung, skinned, then a very thorough wash down with the hose, then dried with paper towels. The only problem I noticed is the connective tissues seem to absorb and hold onto water so you need to either dry it well or cut it off so it doesn't keep the water on the meat.
 
I've never hung game nor washed it down. I'm a fastidious trimmer so if there is a little hair on the fat or external membrane I don't sweat it at all.

The only downside to not hanging game is that you end up with a lot of extra water in the meat. When you go to grind it or thaw out a package you end up with a lot of liquid. If I get a deer this fall I might have to try hanging it for a few days to see if it dries uot a bit.
 
M16LR.50 said:
How long do you guys leave them to hang (with the vinegar solution vs without) ?
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14-21 days without is ideal for me if the weather allows or cooler is available. I wash the cavity out with a hose, but not if the surface of the meat has already had time to dry out before getting to the hose.
 
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