Safe To Eat???

[Colberjs]

I killed a deer Thursday evening and field dressed him within 15-30 minutes. Hailed him to camp and hung him up. That night it was in the low 20's we had high 40's Friday low 30's Friday night and 40's-50's since. Would you say the meat was still good? I can't stand the thought of wasting it but my wife is skeptical. Please tell me it's still sarge to eat.

 

[whiskeydog]

safe

 

[Dave N]

Depends on where it was hung. Out in the sun or in a shaded area will make a difference. Smell it. Your nose will usually tell you if it's good or not.

 

[Colberjs]

Shaded area. Thanks for the replies. I feel much better!!!

 

[Topgun 30-06]

I've hung deer for over a week in the shade with temperatures getting up into the 60s a few times and never had a problem. Process it and don't look back at all thinking it may be bad! All you did was age it properly when you come right down to it!

 

[Big Foot]

Good to go.

 

[bigeasygator]

Agree with what everyone else has said. All you really did was age the meat.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/other/recipes/2006/01/deer-hang-time

 

[Colberjs]

Thanks again! I'll post some pics in another thread. He's just a small &-point and I've killed quite a bit bigger deer but it's my first public land buck so I'm pretty proud of him.

 

[Bambistew]

Should be good to go as long as it cooled out completely.

 

[devon deer]

Smell it. Your nose will usually tell you if it's good or not.

Totally agree there, trust your senses, i'm sure it will be fine.
Cheers
Richard

 

[huntergirl_19]

Newb question, but aren't you supposed to hang deer? Does it really affect the meat taste?

 

[Deleted member 16014]

try it

Try some...if it's good, eat it...if it's nasty, don't eat it. I'm a problem solver by nature. Seriously though, that's what I'd do. I bet it's fine.

 

[schmalts]

Newb question, but aren't you supposed to hang deer? Does it really affect the meat taste?

Definitly. There is a reason prime beef is "aged". If possible do not let it freeze and hang a deer for at least 3 days in a temp of 35-45 degrees. Good bacteria breaks down muscle tissue. It is not for taste as much as it is for tenderizing. If temps turn my garage into a walk in cooler I let them hang for 3-4 days everytime. You can also do this with whole quarters and shoulders. The animal does no need to be whole.

 

[Mica Man]

Skeptical about your wife but the deer should be fine.

 

[Colberjs]

Just a little update.

This deer is almost gone I
And I have to say, this has been THE BEST eating deer I think I have ever had!!! Everything I have cooked has been delicious.

I had a craving for some venison this evening so I carefully thawed out a package of round steaks in the microwave ( being careful to keep it turned so as not to cook any of the edges because I HATE when that happens!!!). I ground some sea salt and black pepper over part of it and coated it with olive oil and tossed it on my Traeger as high as it would go. Left it for just a few minutes on each side and my 18 month old daughter and I are tearing it up.

Also cut some small pieces up and sprinkled them with Tony Cachere's seasoning on each side and then placed them between two sheets of foil and beat the snot out of them with a mallet until they were super thin. Preheated a cast iron skillet on high flame with a little olive oil in the bottom and seared both sides. My 8 year old son and I both LOVED it. I have gorged myself on venison this evening.

If the weather cooperates, from now on, all of my deer will hang for a few days prior to processing. I may have to invest in one of those electronic gadgets that will turn a window unit and a small room into a meat cooler.

 

[MToutdoorsman]

Colberjs glad to hear it turned out good. Nothing like some steaks to hit the spot. I found another way to thaw frozen hamburger and steaks without taking the change in the microwave.Fill you kitchen sink with warm water and let sit for about an hr . Works great.

 

[Zach]

Charcuterie!

 

[roadhunter]

enjoy the venison

 

[Colberjs]

Colberjs glad to hear it turned out good. Nothing like some steaks to hit the spot. I found another way to thaw frozen hamburger and steaks without taking the change in the microwave.Fill you kitchen sink with warm water and let sit for about an hr . Works great.

I use that method occasionally also. A little slower than the microwave but don't have to worry about scorching the meat.

 

[Colberjs]

Charcuterie!

I have developed an interest in charcuterie. I would like to pick up a book and try my hand at various forms of smoking and curing wild game meats.