Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
10-04-2007 | 10:20 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Spike
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Jamestown, NY
Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
My brother and I had a discussion last night on the way home from hanging a stand. We talked about how tired we are after finally locating, field dressing and dragging and then having to cut it up. I wondered if we are doing ourselves a disservice by cutting it up the same day. I've heard people like to "hang them" and get them "seasoned" but don't know if its the right thing to do.
Do you guys/gals cut yours up right away or do you let them hang? If you do let them hang, do you skin them and put something over it?
Thanks for your advice.
Do you guys/gals cut yours up right away or do you let them hang? If you do let them hang, do you skin them and put something over it?
Thanks for your advice.
10-04-2007 | 10:29 AM
#2
Fork Horn
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
Ours are skinned and quarteredand in the cooler within 2 hours of harvest.
The whole process takes less than an hour.
Once they are in the cooler you have at least 4 days to process em or get him to the processor.
The whole process takes less than an hour.
Once they are in the cooler you have at least 4 days to process em or get him to the processor.
10-04-2007 | 10:33 AM
#3
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
My buddies and I like to hang them if we can. If the weather is cold enough, we hang them for a day or so. If not, we pack them with ice and hang them 24 hours then butcher them.
10-04-2007 | 10:36 AM
#4
Typical Buck
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: Texas
RE: Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
It depends on the weather. If its cold enough just let it hang with the skin on (field dressed of course). Here in TX its usually always too hot to let them hang so we quarter them us asap and get the quarters into the cooler. Then we have a couple days to get back to it and cut into steaks and such.
10-04-2007 | 10:40 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,763
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
RE: Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
Depends on the weather for me. I will usually wait till the next day if weather permits. If not, i dont have problem with doing it the same day
10-04-2007 | 10:51 AM
#7
Fork Horn
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
From: Dark Side of the Moon
RE: Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
Weather depending. If it is warm, I skin and and debone the meat immediatley. Then leave it in the coolers to age. If It is cold, but not freezing, then I will let them hang with the hide on. If it is freezing, then the hide comes off right away. It takes a while for the carcass to freeze completely and during that time it will age. However, removing the hide when frozen is extremely difficult.
10-04-2007 | 11:19 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 0
From: Cenral Illinois
RE: Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
I usually cut them up the same day unless it is real cold, then I don't worry about it as much. "Aging" me is pronounced "rotting" so it is not something I like to do.
10-04-2007 | 11:26 AM
#10
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Do you cut up your deer the same day as harvesting it?
ORIGINAL: YooperMike
I usually cut them up the same day unless it is real cold, then I don't worry about it as much. "Aging" me is pronounced "rotting" so it is not something I like to do.
I usually cut them up the same day unless it is real cold, then I don't worry about it as much. "Aging" me is pronounced "rotting" so it is not something I like to do.