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??

When it doubt throw it out.

I would not trust it because it was to warm.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Smoke the meat and you shold have no problems at all.Congrats on the harvest!

should be fine as long as it isn't really discolored and smelled bad.

I would say it should be good. Deer will build up gas withina hour. I would eat it.

yea i would keep it