Thats where experience come into play after the hunt. Rigamortise will set within an a couple hours and just because its stiff does't mean its ruined, its a natural process the deer goes through. Its perfectly fine, just ask your biologist. I personally know from past experince hunting down in Fla. and N.C. that if you happen to shoot one in the evening and can't find and you do find it the next morning, you IMMEDIATELY take the hide off, IMMEDIATELY after field dressing. You can tell if the meat is tainted by the smell and the color, but even fresh venison smells like crape to somepeople but if its bad, a person who is experienced can tell. I personally think it would of been alright, but then again only you can make that call. Chalk it up to experience.
I admire that quality in Txhunter, I think you should count it as one of you tags as he has said.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>