how long til meat spoils.

[dmen]

I recovered a deer this morning, how long do I have to take him to the butcher, right now he is in the back of my truck with ice in his body cavity. some of my friends and family ant to see him and take pictures but won't be around until for a few hours. I shot him last night and recovered and gutted him this morning at about 730, it is 1130 now, how long until the meat spoils, it is about 58 degrees right now.

[mauser06]

your in maine?? whats your high temp for the day???


likely not much higher than 58 that it is now???


if not much higher than 60 or so(i may even go to 70) i would say it will be fine with ice in it and in the shade.

overnight, the low would likely been low enough to not matter....

i wouldnt suggest waitin ALL day but an extra few hours with it being kept full of ice, and out of the sun, id say it would be alright

[dmen]

it is not going to get any warmer than the 58 it is right now. If I wait I won't be able to get him to the butcher until around 5 pm, which is 5.5 hours from now. Too long?, this is my first deer and i don't want to lose it.

[rybohunter]

With you having him stuffed with ice you are fine.

[GMMAT]

Don't take this the wrong way.....but what would you do if it was 78?

I may come across as "harsh", but I'm gonna say it anyways.....

I think we ALL need to know how AND be prepared to butcher our own kills.

Good luck.....but you shouldn't have to depend on luck, here. I could have that deer quartered and on ice in 30 minutes.

[HNI_Christine]

dmen, buy more ice. Make sure his body cavity is packed and then put a bag between his thighs. If he's really warm still, consider putting ice under him and setting some on him and maybe roll him over once to keep heat from building up between thebed and his body. Ice is cheap... use lots.

Once his body is somewhat cooled, cover him with a tarp or blanket to hold in some of the cold from the ice. (and to keep the bugs off)

If you do that he be fine.

[Howler]

If it weren't for your "need" for pictures, I'd say to at least skin it. BUT if it didn't smell bad when you gutted it, then you'll probably be fine with the ice in the chest for a few more hours.

[tmontgo1]

Look at the nighttime temp. if its in the 30's then put the deer in a unheated garage with everything closed and it should keep around the same temp most of the day and save u some time. Just smell the meat and it well tell the whole story