Whats the longest you can leave a deer hanging in 40-50 degree weather before you should have it processed?

Answer 1

Personally, I wouldn't let it hang if the temp was above 45 period. If the temp is between 35-40 a few days is fine. Above that and I would only let it hang for one day. It really depends on how strong or little of a game taste you like. What actually happens is the bacteria forms inside the meat and breaks it down to make it tender and changes the taste of the meat. Now I have heard of people who let it hang in a garage or cooled barn for over a week but I have not personally tried that.

Answer 2

At that temperature I would not leave it hang more than a day, especially if the temp is near the 50 degree mark for any length of time. I prefer to not let them hang and rot, but many hunters do enjoy a well aged deer.

If your temps are mostly 40 or below you should be able to hang for up to a week or more as long as the deer cooled off quickly. If you left the skin on in these temps it will rot quickly if not cooled off quickly. You can cool it quickly by packing with ice if you are leaving the skin on, but still better to remove and cool.

I usually skin and debone the deer immediately if the temps are near 50 and put it all on ice until I am ready to butcher and seal.

Answer 3

As long as the temperature gets into the 30's overnight and the sun does not shine on the deer, it should be ok for the day. I'd probably throw 2 bags of ice in it.

When it's real cold outside, I have hung it up a few days just out of my convience.

But I've yet to notice any difference between a deer hung for several days and one that was processed same day.

Answer 4

I would never allow a deer to hang in temps above 40 degrees. It will go bad very quickly.