Thoughts on Packing your Deer Out

[twowindy]

I have done it this way for 15+ years and never had a problem with it drying out the meat.I put mine in a game bag as I cut it off the bone,put it in my pack and head for camp.As soon as I get to camp I put it on ice in the ice chest ,open the drain plug to keep the water away from the meat.I've kept the meat in the ice chest for as long as a week and never had a problem.After useing the gutless method I will never carry out the bones again.You cant eat the bones.

[THE RIFLEMAN]

When a carcass cools down with the hide on the oil producing glands contract and the oils migrate into the muscles/meat this is where the game taste comes from! the first thing a professional butcher does after killing stock is to skin it! The longer the hide stays on the worse the meat will taste!

[GotBowAz]

+1 RIFLEMAN. I have also noticed gamey meat by leaving the hide on for any length of time. I get the meat on ice as soon as I can and I have never had any meat dry out in pillow cases and tied off it keeps the fly's out. You have to watch for cutter bees though. They can and have bored a hole in my pillow cases a couple of times but generally if they are around I will keep a bone close by they can pick at and leave my hanging meat alone.

 

I have also noticed wild game taste like crap on or near the bones too. The longer the bone is in the worse or gamey the meat taste's. Ever tried BBQ elk ribs? I did and they are NASTY! yuck! I cut what little meat there is out between the ribs and turn it into burger now. Bones stay in the field for the critters and I never touch the guts. By the way, if you really want the liver reach in a little deeper after putting the tenderloins out and pull the liver outside the cavity, then cut it off. works real slick and again you not messing with the guts to tant the meat.

 

GBA

[ready2hunt]

The best meat a chef has to offer is never frozen or packaged. Its just kept in a cool area and allowed to age as previously mentioned. If the temp is right, it will not dry out.

[rabidApache]

I know there's easier ways to bring deer outta of the woods but I like my style. Hunting is hard and it should be... like my Pop's taught me from generations before him. Respect any animal "you've" killed.

I like to not leave a single scrap for the rave's, or yotes except blood and gut pile. Hide is brain tanned and bucked, sinew for bows/arrows and mocc's, ribs neck spine cut up for stews or broth. Heart, liver, ribs are usually grilled at camp over coals the same night. Good times with the apache hunting party at camp with the butchering. Butchering and packing out with good buddies taking part is the whole experience IMO.

 

Good hunting Dec 2011.

 

[Scooter]

That is one of the coolest pics I've seen!!!

[ready2hunt]

I don't know about you guys but all this talk of packing out deer it giving me anxiety! I can't wait for archery season to open up!!!! Nice job apache, great buck with a bow!

[Flatlander]

I know there's easier ways to bring deer outta of the woods but I like my style. Hunting is hard and it should be... like my Pop's taught me from generations before him. Respect any animal "you've" killed.

I like to not leave a single scrap for the rave's, or yotes except blood and gut pile. Hide is brain tanned and bucked, sinew for bows/arrows and mocc's, ribs neck spine cut up for stews or broth. Heart, liver, ribs are usually grilled at camp over coals the same night. Good times with the apache hunting party at camp with the butchering. Butchering and packing out with good buddies taking part is the whole experience IMO.

 

Good hunting Dec 2011.

Please tell me you killed that buck, with that bow, and not a single ounce of camo?! Love it.

[GotBowAz]

Flatlander, he does have a little camo, his bow has camo on it, he was hiding behind it, ha ha ha LOL

 

Very cool Rabid Apache! Nice buck!!

 

GBA

[PRDATR]

I have carried them out after gutting them and boned them out too. Just depends on how far I have to go and the terrain as I almost always am hunting alone when I actually get a deer down.

Here is something which I found to be of interest if you have time to read through it.

 

http://www.wyomingextension.org/agpubs/pubs/B594R.pdf

 

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/pnw517.pdf

 

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06504.html

 

 

The Maricopa Skill Center also offers game processing but call before the hunt so you know how to bring it to them. A year or so ago some guy brought them a whole elk that wasn't field dressed first and was turned away.

http://www.maricopaskillcenter.com/meat-cutting-0

[Flatlander]

I have carried them out after gutting them and boned them out too. Just depends on how far I have to go and the terrain as I almost always am hunting alone when I actually get a deer down.

Here is something which I found to be of interest if you have time to read through it.

 

http://www.wyomingextension.org/agpubs/pubs/B594R.pdf

 

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/pnw517.pdf

 

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06504.html

 

 

The Maricopa Skill Center also offers game processing but call before the hunt so you know how to bring it to them. A year or so ago some guy brought them a whole elk that wasn't field dressed first and was turned away.

http://www.maricopaskillcenter.com/meat-cutting-0

Gilbert High used to offer a meat processing service as well, but you pretty much had to know Mr. B to get it in there cause they booked up quick.

[arn243]

I was taught to gut and carry a buck and always from remote locations, but I have transformed to the gutless method which allows the meat to cool immediately. I have the necessary canvas to keep the meat clean while I work and then transport the meat in game bags in my pack secure and balanced. "In light and out heavy" Once in camp I verify the meat is clean and place it in large 20 gallon Ziploc bags so the meat does not get wet while keeping ice in the ice chest with the meat. once home the meat can stay in the fridge until I am ready to package the meat all the while no blood or water that can promote bacteria. I love that I keep my hands somewhat clean my during field preparation with pigs, elk, or deer.

[THE RIFLEMAN]

I don't agree with the books posted here that say to leave the hide on.... Leaving the hide on = gamey meat!!!!! GUTLESS IS THE ONLY WAY FOR ME !

[billrquimby]

Four of us shot 17 deer last November in the Texas Hill Country where the limit is 5 whitetails per year. We kept them hanging in a barn for up to five days before we skinned, butchered and froze the meat the day before we left for Tucson. I can assure you that the meat from those deer did not suffer. It was delicious!

 

Bill Quimby

[twowindy]

All the butchers I have met(my son included,who had his own meat packing buisness)will tell you to get the hide off as soon as possable.