I've had some bad deer meat over my hunting career from bad actors. I do my own now. I am in Central Al-.22 center fire is legal. Last 5 yrs all my deer have been .22 center fire killed, except 1- a muzzle loader kill. I used a .222 Rem 788 or Rem 700 .221 Fireball in rifle shots and a Savage Stryker .22-250 bolt action pistol to take a 200# 8 pt!
I dress my deer on sight(I hunt at home) wash and freeze asap. If local temps allow I will let a dressed deer hand covered with a sheet. I know the aging process from our butcher member.