We hang deer on a game pole in deer camp with hide on. If the temp warms up (very rare in Ontario in November) we will skin and quarter them and rush them to a freezer. Under normal conditions hide is kept on until we have them processed by a butcher. My butcher now refuses to take in a deer with hide off as he finds that his temp controlled hanging room ( which I have seen with 70 deer inside it ) cools and ages them nicely. He is expensive but does great work and since switching to him I and my family enjoy the game much more. Makes great sausage and pepperettes too!!!