Hanging and aging a deer in this warm weather?

[grate8]

how long can I leave a deer out?

[jdime]

I was just wondering the same thing.

I am near Ely and my first deer ever is hanging from a tree branch. I got it last night and it sat out through a cool 28 degree night.

Today, it's forecast to be 54 in Ely and 58 in the cities. Everything I read said leaving the deer hanging is ok even when it's (up to) 50 degrees for a few hours during the day.

I won't be able to butcher until tomorrow. If I have to, I can take it to a butcher today, but I have a couple friends who are willing to teach me to butcher when they get back into town.

Any advice?

[BigJakeL]

If you have pole shed I shot a doe here i Wisconsin and tested the temp inside my pole shed compared to outside It was 36 inside the shed and 46 outside. I am sure if you have some sort of shed to put the animal in it would be fine if the temps top out at 54 should stay fairly cool in a shredded area. Just a thought otherwise I'd take it to the butcher.

[Dusty]

It should be OK just make sure its at least in the shade.

[BobT]

I would skin it as soon as possible. Once it has cooled, cover it with wet towels or a cheesecloth to keep it from drying out. Cover windows on the shed to block the sunlight from warming it up too. Why not just process it and freeze or refrigerate the meat? You can't be out hunting past about 5:00pm so there's plenty of time in the evening to do it.

[bogwalker]

Pack the inside with bags of ice.

[morefishplease]

Its fine, cold enough at night to not do any harm.

[Steve Foss]

I was just wondering the same thing.

I am near Ely and my first deer ever is hanging from a tree branch. I got it last night and it sat out through a cool 28 degree night.

Today, it's forecast to be 54 in Ely and 58 in the cities. Everything I read said leaving the deer hanging is ok even when it's (up to) 50 degrees for a few hours during the day.

I won't be able to butcher until tomorrow. If I have to, I can take it to a butcher today, but I have a couple friends who are willing to teach me to butcher when they get back into town.

Any advice?

jdime, it'll be just fine. My last year's buck was shot Saturday morning and hit the butcher late Monday, and temps were about the same. It tasted great!

[jdime]

Thanks guys! I would butcher it myself but I've never done it before. I will be butchering tomorrow with some friends. The deer survived today just fine. Tomorrow driving home I may put some ice in the chest cavity.

[swampbuck]

Dont worry about it, itwill survive drive home andbe fine take your time cutting look for separations in muscle tissue and cut along them make sure you cut of ALL fat and ligaments, I use a fillet knife t cut small pieces of these and the fat throw em in pile for jerkey/burger.

Just get all the fat and silver ski off and you will be fine

Little tip after you skin dee use a small propane torch (you can get at FF or MEnrds witha 1lb tank for about 10 bucks this will burn off all hair before cutting and wont hurt the meat

Congrats on a public land deer!