hanging game, head up or down?

[lannard]

ive allways been hanging deer head down, but i just started hunting with a new gang, and they hang head up. what do you guys think?

 

[7mm-08]

I have always hung biggame head down.I cut the legs off just below the knee joint and hang them up on meat hooks.I find it easier to skin,as well have a process when I cut the meat up frontlegs,chops,backlegs and then clean up what other meat I can get off it.

 

[Scott_N]

We've always hung them head down... just find it easier to process this way.

 

[gorky]

I hang head down as well.

When you say hang head up, does that mean leaving the head attached ? I would think that leaving the head on would lengthen the cooling process and make proper cleaning more difficult.

 

[savage express]

Heads South.

 

[Steeleco]

Ass up, head down!! We use a gambrel to hang all our gritters when we can, they're made to hang the animal from the back legs.

 

[Gatehouse]

Done both, and there is no real difference...

 

[Levi Garrett]

Done both, and there is no real difference...

Same here, whatever gets the animal off the deck

 

[snowshoe]

Head down The idea is to drain the blood from the big muscle groups, so I was told. The meat packing industry hangs head down.

 

[Levi Garrett]

head down does make it easier to remove the heavier quarters

 

[senior]

head down does make it easier to remove the heavier quarters

That's a good point if dealing with moose.

Where have we heard this arguement before?
We skin head up because we find it easier, then switch to head down in cooler.

 

[Big Game]

Head down. I've heard from a butcher that it allows for better breakdown of the larger muscle tissue and blood drainage. How true that is I don't know but it seems to make sense. Who ages their meat hide on as compared to skinned?

 

[dumbdawg]

neither way cause i was skunked this year

 

[Budweiser2]

I also hang the animal head down.

 

[trevj]

Head down, because it's a PITA to cut the head off and have the carcass drop on the ground.

As often as not, the head does not even get brought in from the shooting site.

I use a gambrel, or use cargo strap hooks through the hocks to hang the carcasses.

Cheers
Trev

 

[H4831]

It is very simple, you guys.
If you live east of Manitoba your deer has twice as many antler points and you hang it by the head.

 

[bisonhd]

Head up for easier/cleaner skinning then head down to utilize both hamstring loops for splitting.

 

[dizzy dan 1]

Head down when we get home but head up in the bush.Water runs off better. DAN>>>

 

[lannard]

see ive found that head down is easier to cut filets out, easier to cut chest open to spred, and to remove the throat tube. skinning aswell. i guess the guys hanging head up are just in lack of a gambrel. i just didnt know if it was benificial to the meat if its hung a certan way.

 

[lannard]

Head down. I've heard from a butcher that it allows for better breakdown of the larger muscle tissue and blood drainage. How true that is I don't know but it seems to make sense. Who ages their meat hide on as compared to skinned?

as for this question, i know that it is easier to age without hide given the bugs are gone, cause its gunna be harder to skin after the aging process.