Deer found next day....meat OK?
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2
Deer found next day....meat OK?
A question for you experienced Southern hunters. My question is meat quality on a downed deer not found for about 18 hrs. I am not used to hunting in warmer weather and this one was hit just before dark at 5:00 PM and found around 11 AM the next day. The temperature that night dropped to about 38F and daytime temps about 50F.
Gutted immediatley, no bad smell in the cavity after cleaning,,,,but a little gas off from the chest cavity when I opened him up. This deer was taken to a cooler and processed (immediately after field dressing).
Anyone had this situation and would you feel OK with this one??
Gutted immediatley, no bad smell in the cavity after cleaning,,,,but a little gas off from the chest cavity when I opened him up. This deer was taken to a cooler and processed (immediately after field dressing).
Anyone had this situation and would you feel OK with this one??
#3
RE: Deer found next day....meat OK?
Tough question,
I'd cut a little piece off first ...fry it and then eat it. If it was good I'd keep it. You said the meat smelled good. If it was bad meat it seems like it would smell terrible. The only thing that bothers me is that the intrals were still in it. I hope more experienced folks comment. Very interesting.
I'd cut a little piece off first ...fry it and then eat it. If it was good I'd keep it. You said the meat smelled good. If it was bad meat it seems like it would smell terrible. The only thing that bothers me is that the intrals were still in it. I hope more experienced folks comment. Very interesting.
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Tx
Posts: 249
RE: Deer found next day....meat OK?
Uhh... Hard one. I think if the deer was in the shade and the gut bag was intact, It ought to be okay. Don't take my word for it though although I asked my dad who has hunted here all his life and he said if it was in the shade, the meat was cool, and the gut bag still intact it ought to be okay. Never had one lay that long though. Man!! Your just gonna have to decide I don't really know. Legs should be good though!
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Central MA
Posts: 207
RE: Deer found next day....meat OK?
I would say if it doesn't smell bad, it should be good and that rule hasn't let me down yet. But I am from the north and don't really have to deal with those situations.
My dad is a police officer and whena deer gets hit and the driver doesn't want it they usually call him. If one gets hit during the summer, we don't even bother taking the deer.
Maybe you should try posting this in one in the South regional forum. You have a better chance of getting more relevant info since almost everyone that posts in that forum is from the south.
My dad is a police officer and whena deer gets hit and the driver doesn't want it they usually call him. If one gets hit during the summer, we don't even bother taking the deer.
Maybe you should try posting this in one in the South regional forum. You have a better chance of getting more relevant info since almost everyone that posts in that forum is from the south.
#6
RE: Deer found next day....meat OK?
I would say your best bet is to try a little bit. I really don't think it should be that bad though. I mean if 50 was as high as it got the day you found it...that means it was cooler during the night. Even with the guts inside of it, I don't think there should be a problem.
Congrats on the deer BTW.
Congrats on the deer BTW.
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