I let my han atleast 2 days, and Ranger I would not hang my deer by the back legs, or put ice in it unless it wasn't that coldand still I see no reason, but I hang mine by the neck for 2-3 days after gutting, and washing out the inside with a garden hose, open up the chest good, and after those days I cut off the head legs, and skin it then we de-bone the whole deer and freeze it for a couple days and start eating after we let it sit another day in salt, water and vinegar this gets the game taste out of it, some processing plants screw you over by not doing this process it makes the meat taste hundred percent better.