I'm going to butcher my own deer for the 1st time this year (If I get lucky). I've read a couple of threads on allowing rigor mortis to set and pass. I never thought about that. Is it true? If so, how long does it take before one can start butchering?

I've never heard of that myself, I usually let the deer hang a day or two though anyway.

You could only let it pass in a very controlled environment. It simply takes too long.....

They say that because just like beef, aged venison tastes better. The problem lies however, in that most of us just don't have the equipment necessary to allow them to age that long and not go bad.

Prime Rib beef ages for.....90 days I believe it is....but again, the environment can be contolled. If it's cool enough, let them hang a couple of days...that's plenty.

I've heard that if a roadkill looks fresh, doesn't smell, isn't bloated and has rigor mortis, you can eat it. I don't like venison enough to try it. I guess that is what they mean about rigor mortis going away. Probably signifies some type of decomposition.

What I want to know is, if I kill a deer can I take the 3 hour ride home andstart butchering? I can't be hanging/aging a deer.

Depending on the weather, most likely. If it's too warm out, just quarter it and put it in a cooler w/ ice.

Yes you can start butchering after 3 hours I do it all the time when I get one and it is warm out. If you have trouble with rigor mortis then I would try hanging it by the head and butchering it that way

As long as you don't have the deer laying on the hot hood of a vehicle you are normally OK - unless of course its 80 degrees out all day!

In any case, I'd put a small stick inside the chest cavity to keep the air circulating to cool the deer down. it is is overly warm out you can even pack ice inside the carcass - but thats pretty extreme. Let the air get to the deer when traveling home. Black pepper can be sprinkled into the cavity as well if flies are an issue.

Thanks for all the advice, I can always count on this web site/forums!

What about the time between when the deer died and when you actually begin the 3 hour drive? Unless it was at least in the 40's, I would never try driving even one hour home with ice in the chest cavity. Also, the skin and hair on the deer insulates it so it needs to come off if it needs to cool quickly. If it's >50deg, I would quarter out and pack in ice for a 3 hour drive. If it's <40deg, I would prop the chest up with a stick and pack it with ice and make sure it's not right above the exhaust system of your truckThis is not absolute and I'm sure some folks who hunt out west will have more advice here shortly.