RE: YOU KILLED, NOW WHAT?
I've heard the story about water and deer meat. Of course, the story makes perfect sense, but you have to think a little about it. Does water encourage bacterial growth? Yes. If you don't use water will your deer meat be subject to bacterial growth? Yes. Do you want to leave your deer with raw flesh constantly bathed in moisture . . . heck no. Does a transient washing of the body cavity with water followed by drying substantially alter the bacterial culture of your deer meat? I'm guessing not. I like to do this to get rid of any dirt, leaves, grass, etc., that may have gotten into the body cavity. I would have to hear the argument that says washing the body cavity for 30 seconds with running water from a hose followed by drying with paper towels does ANY damage to the condition of my deer meat. Now, running water on the deer and leaving it in a lump on the ground, wet, not open to free circulating air . . . that might be a problem.