I have a couple questions concerning recovering a deer. This is only my fifth year hunting, I have been fortunate to have harvested one deer a year, all clean kills, and fast recoveries. The second day out this year I shot a doe at sunset and lost the blood trail, after searching for a couple hours with no sign of blood or the doe, I decided to come back the next morning. The next morning I found the doe, and discovered she had not run as far as I thought. Unfortunately a coyote found her before I did, and ate rump roasts out of her. First question. How long can a deer stay in the woods before the meat spoils? This one sat for 13 hours, with the temperature in the upper 30s to low 40s. Second question. Is the meat safe to eat after a coyote was eating on it? I took whatever meat I could off the deer, staying a couple inches away from where the coyote was feasting.

As far as temperature goes the deer should be fine. Coyote eating it, you will get mixed responses on that. I personally would probably not use the meat. I would leave it for the yotes at that point. My rule is that if I have doubt, it's not worth the risk. But some people will say it is ok to eat. For me, it would not be worth the risk. I have plenty of deer around and plenty of tags. Your deer isn't really going to waste, the other animals will eat it. Trust your gut feeling.
-Jake

The yotes start always start at the rear. They are meat eaters and not only know where the bulk of the meat is but where it is easiest to get to.

The yotes may eat after I'm done, but I ain't eating after the yotes. In this case, if they just tore at the roasts I would be in for the backstraps and maybe tenderloins.

Usually coyotes will be there the first nite if its cold out. They are driven by hunger and will eat the best of your deer before you find it.

I wouldn't waste my tag on a deer that #1 was eaten on by coyotes and# 2 layed over nite and wasn't in weather that was freezing or close to it.

tough call but not sure I owuld eat after the yotes.

I would'nt eat after them. Damn things have good noses, I'm sure it didn't take them long to find it.


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Are they rabbid ?

I am not eating after yotes but the temperature was fine for leaving a deer overnight in.

Depending on your regs you may legally be responsible to tag that deer.

Pull the loins , front shoulders, neck and call it a day.

I have plenty of deer around and plenty of tags.