Overnight hanging without a chiller

[JJP]

Hi all!

Just after a bit of advice, still new to stalking and the butchery side of it but slowly learning!

I'm heading out stalking on Saturday morning, and if luck is on my side, I might end up with a deer to process. I wanted to ask for some advice regarding the situation.

Assuming I do manage to get one, I would need to hang the deer until Sunday morning before I can start the butchering process. The overnight temperatures in my area are around 10 degrees Celsius, and I'm wondering if I could get away with hanging the deer in my garage which is cool and dark until then.

Additionally, I'm not sure whether I should keep the skin on or remove it before hanging. I was thinking of using a fly net to protect the carcass from flies, but I'm open to suggestions or alternative methods if you have any.

I appreciate any insights or recommendations you may have.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Phil fox man]

hi, firstly I hope your luck on Saturday.
I hang mine on my skinning tree out side overnight.coat on and a fly sheet.
I then skin and do a rough butcher and the go to the kitchen to tidy and joint into more suitable joints.
if it's for yourself your methods are up to you.
depending on time of the year ie temperature you might be best to be up at " the crack of dawn" to finish before the temp rises,( unless your wife is called dawn)

 

[Phil fox man]

hi, firstly I hope your luck on Saturday.
I hang mine on my skinning tree out side overnight.coat on and a fly sheet.
I then skin and do a rough butcher and the go to the kitchen to tidy and joint into more suitable joints.
if it's for yourself your methods are up to you.
depending on time of the year ie temperature you might be best to be up at " the crack of dawn" to finish before the temp rises,( unless your wife is called dawn)

 

[HonestJohn]

View attachment 309761

isn't snaring deer at a bait station illegal?

 

[Dazb1967]

I always hang mine in the garage overnight with the skin on no problem at all, Like you're going to do though I always make sure I put a fly sheet around them.

 

[sundog]

I would skin it as soon as possible and then cover with your fly sheet. It'll be easier to skin and the carcass will cool quicker.

 

[David Barker]

When you kill your deer its body temp will be around 36 deg. This temp will slowly lower to the out side temp. How long that takes will depend on were you hang it. If you hang in the shade out of any direct sunlight i would imagine it will take quite a few hours. I hang mine in my shed (Concrete) for 4 - 6 hours before transferring it to the chiller to finish the cool process.

 

[VSS]

Hi all!

Just after a bit of advice, still new to stalking and the butchery side of it but slowly learning!

I'm heading out stalking on Saturday morning, and if luck is on my side, I might end up with a deer to process. I wanted to ask for some advice regarding the situation.

Assuming I do manage to get one, I would need to hang the deer until Sunday morning before I can start the butchering process. The overnight temperatures in my area are around 10 degrees Celsius, and I'm wondering if I could get away with hanging the deer in my garage which is cool and dark until then.

Additionally, I'm not sure whether I should keep the skin on or remove it before hanging. I was thinking of using a fly net to protect the carcass from flies, but I'm open to suggestions or alternative methods if you have any.

I appreciate any insights or recommendations you may have.

Thanks in advance!

For the length of time you're talking about it'll be absolutely fine.
My preference would be to hang it with the skin on.
If flies do get at it, just trim off any eggs when you find them.

 

[sy247]

I hang mine in my wood shed which has got plenty of airflow. I use a high thread count cotton duvet cover as a flynet, tied tightly round the top with paracord. Providing its in the shade you will be fine. I butchered yesterday afternoon and it was quite warm in the sun but the carcass was very cool to the touch. Fine for personal consumption.

 

[gixer1]

You should be ok, don’t let it sit in the sun and get some Muslin cloth covers and put it in that…

I’ve done some unusual hanging and storage when away from home and no chill possible although usually get them to the chill ASAP the next day after driving home.

 

[rem284]

As soon as flies are going about ie, spring to autumn then they dictate the length of time I can hang deer that I shoot on a recreational bases. In these circumstances I will hang them in my garage, I wet the concrete floor, this helps with cooling the place and makes cleaning a bit easier after the whole process. I prefer to butcher the carcass after it's been skinned overnight, the meat seems to "set" a bit better. Part of my garage/workshop is very dark and find this is the best area to hang anything during the "fly season"

Good luck with the outcome

 

[paulbshooting]

This time of year it will be a roe buck or munty. Skin the munty warm, they are a bugger to skin cold! You could skin the munty or roe buck and quarter if you have fridge space? Save you worrying and a super early start.

 

[JockStalk]

Hi all!

Just after a bit of advice, still new to stalking and the butchery side of it but slowly learning!

I'm heading out stalking on Saturday morning, and if luck is on my side, I might end up with a deer to process. I wanted to ask for some advice regarding the situation.

Assuming I do manage to get one, I would need to hang the deer until Sunday morning before I can start the butchering process. The overnight temperatures in my area are around 10 degrees Celsius, and I'm wondering if I could get away with hanging the deer in my garage which is cool and dark until then.

Additionally, I'm not sure whether I should keep the skin on or remove it before hanging. I was thinking of using a fly net to protect the carcass from flies, but I'm open to suggestions or alternative methods if you have any.

I appreciate any insights or recommendations you may have.

Thanks in advance!

leave it in the skin and it’ll be fine overnight. Head and feet off. Hang it by the hind legs not by the headgear or in a bag in a tree as shown above, both of which you might call a bit ‘niche’.
Consider a bit of plastic pipe/ old coat hanger etc to open the ribs a bit and let the air in. For personal consumption, a scoosh with a hose will help it cool before you leave it. I hang over a tray of water with a drop of washing up liquid - any ticks/ keds that drop die what I hope is a slow and lingering death in there.
Next morning, skin it and take off the shoulders, trim off the ribs both sides, split the torso into neck end and back strap/ fillet section and the haunches and stick them in the fridge if you have space to chill down further for a good 8 hours plus if you have fridge space and not in a rush to butcher. The meat is a lot easier to work with after properly chilled and rested - just like people
If it’s a staggie be sure of the strength of your anchor points and floor height, roebucks don’t need so much.
When you skin it - watch a Scott Rae or similar video first, start at the top and work down, rolling the skin over to keep the hairs away from the venison. Open up a few bin bags before you get started to lob the skin, any trim and to use to lob the joints into as it’s easier when your hands are clean rather than wandering through the house looking for bags whilst halfway through and leaving a trail of bloody hand prints. Not that I’d have ever have done that
And if you really want to annoy the other half, cover with one of your duvet covers, always wash before putting back on the bed . I’ve honestly never used fly muslin.
Good luck and fingers crossed you fill up your fridge.

 

[NullMac]

Why can I hear banjos?

Best Practice gone but not forgotten?

When they say "for personal consumption", what they mean is that "this is manky" but you won't die.

Leave it a full 24 hours to let rigour mortis pass. Then get it cut up and into a fridge as fast as possible even if you just do it in big bits that you will butcher in a few days. Scott Rae is indeed your man...

 

[EckyP243]

Take a look at these guys. They have a patent on the fabric, it allows the carcass the breathe but stops eggs laying penetration so you’ll never get fly-struck. Until i got my chill I used these guys for years - awesome product. I got the elk size which is HUGE )as you’d expect but it could easily cover a big red stag. Make sure the carcass goes through rigor and it’s ready for the butchering process. I’d always leave skin on unless you want to tan the hide.

 

[Cheviot]

Hi all!

Just after a bit of advice, still new to stalking and the butchery side of it but slowly learning!

I'm heading out stalking on Saturday morning, and if luck is on my side, I might end up with a deer to process. I wanted to ask for some advice regarding the situation.

Assuming I do manage to get one, I would need to hang the deer until Sunday morning before I can start the butchering process. The overnight temperatures in my area are around 10 degrees Celsius, and I'm wondering if I could get away with hanging the deer in my garage which is cool and dark until then.

Additionally, I'm not sure whether I should keep the skin on or remove it before hanging. I was thinking of using a fly net to protect the carcass from flies, but I'm open to suggestions or alternative methods if you have any.

I appreciate any insights or recommendations you may have.

Thanks in advance!

i'm just out side kelso if i can help. this is what I do hang in skin overnight skin in the morning and cut up into primals and hang in the fridge for a couple of days
you're more than welcome to use my fridge and i will help you

 

[EckyP243]

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[RescueMe0007]

My small contribution is to suggest that if your hanging the carcass in a garage or shed, consider putting a couple of frozen containers ( I use 2/3 litre ex milk containers) inside the body cavity. It seriously contributes to cooling the carcass effectively and efficiently and costs virtually nothing.

 

[JJP]

Thanks everyone for the replies really helpful and lots of cool ideas and different ways of doing it! As a newbie this is all cracking reading!!!

 

[beebuzz]

when it’s really hot in my garage I fill long plastic bags with ice/water and hang inside the cavity with a bit of metal to spread the ribs. . Don’t know if it’s the right thing to do but it does seem to help. Go well this weekend!!