a couple deer processing questions...

[saskgunowner101]

Thanks for your patience guys. Just had a few more questions about deer, so bare with me.

What do you do with the hide when finished?? Does the blood wash out easy enough?? Anyone ever tanned the hide themselves for a garment or wall hanger??

And finally, how long is long enough to hang?? I've got mine hanging in the garage where the temp bounces between 3-6 degrees Celsius. Is 2 or 3 days good enough to age the deer?? I've seen everything a from day after to 3 weeks on the internet, so whats your preference??

No more deer questions after this, I promise!!

 

[sjemac]

If you had a temp controlled walkin cooler (which I keep planning to build but never get around to) you could hang it for a month if it wasn't gut shot, wet, dirty etc (IOW PERFECT CONDITION). When in doubt, skin it out.

I've cut and wrapped the same day and have hung for over 2 weeks. Tenderness is affected by hanging but you can age fresh frozen deer in the fridge by taking out of the freezer 4-5 days in advance and allowing to age in the fridge covered in plastic wrap and on a pad of paper towel to absorb the leakage.

Just got my moose today. Perfect temps, I'd hang for a week, but it's warm now. Unless it gets cold tonight, I'm cutting tomorrow.

 

[snowshoe]

I hang a deer for 5-7 days for best results, but the temperature must be right. Rent cooler space if needed. I used to make my living as a butcher, and the aging process is VERY important.

 

[upnorth]

have you contacted your local game and fish? Maybe they offer a hides to habitat program near you... seems to me to be a far better use for hides than putting them on a wall. Just my two cents...

 

[Longwalker]

If cooled properly to begin with, hanging 5-10 days, hide off in the conditions you describe should be OK. You must hang long enough for the muscles to release the "rigor morits". If you butcher at two days, it is fairly likely that you will have tough meat. The hides are best donated to habitat trust, most towns with a Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation local chapter have a hide box, the donated hides are sold and the proceeds go towards buying wildlife habitat in Sask. A good deal for everyone.