Interesting Debate

[Marty]

I have never found that a heart shot beasts adrenalin to toughen the meat. But then I always hang my carcases for a minimum of 7 days if required for personal consumption or its going to friends and family.

How long do you hang yours before butchering?

The 50% reduction is starting to become a norm I fear.

 

[stag1933]

If these greedy game dealers insist on head/neck shot Deer ask for a better price.
Such shooting will inevitably result in some Deer being shot in the windpipe or have part of their face blown away and possibly escaping to die a slow miserable death.
Since I have had this computer for the last year or so I have been disturbed to see a callous attitude towards Deer and their ethical and humane management.
Many stalkers are not capable of such a degree of accuaracy under normal field conditions.

 

[325wsm]

I know others do not agree but I am convinced that adrenaline is the worst additive possible for any meat and venison is no different.

My belief started some 30 years after talking to the person in charge of the local slaughterhouse where I used to buy horse meat for our own table. When I complained about the toughness of meat on one occasion he explained about adrenaline and how the first horse through early in the morning was far less stressed than those later when they could smell blood and hear the machinery.

From then on he kept meat for me from the 'first' horse (and bullock) and I never again had tough meat.

I have considered the deer in the same way ands have compared meat on the plate from 2 animals - one body shot that ran 200yds the other neck shot that was dead on the spot. I and my wife can tell the difference.

Hanging depends on time of year if in garage or space in cooler but I always leave them a week and often up to 3 weeks.

Prices locally t the moment are 25p for body shot if there is ANY blood in the meat (ie front shoulder or leg) and 75p if neck shot. A body shot clean carcass will fetch 50p

 

[Marty]

I have always be told that correct ageing of the carcase would and should deal with any stress related toughness. This has always proven to be the case with one exception that of muntjac. Old bucks are tough no matter what you do with them.

The prices you have quoted are similar to those I have been encountering when contacting the game dealers.

 

[MarkH]

Hi Guys

I have shot deer every which way, head shots are fine at close range but the target is small and highly mobile. Good for fallow grazing brambles past my highseat. Neck shots and spine shots are great except when they are not and can account for a large number of wounded or slow to die animals. Wherever possible I take a heart lung shot as the death is fast and meat damage is minimal in practical terms. THe dogs need to be food as well and a bit of lead free flank keeps them interested
The game dealers can stuff off at those prices.

Mark

 

[Beowulf]

I'm with you on this Mark. I really get concerned when people talk money over deer welfare.

 

[Marty]

Hi Guys

I have shot deer every which way, head shots are fine at close range but the target is small and highly mobile. Good for fallow grazing brambles past my highseat. Neck shots and spine shots are great except when they are not and can account for a large number of wounded or slow to die animals. Wherever possible I take a heart lung shot as the death is fast and meat damage is minimal in practical terms. THe dogs need to be food as well and a bit of lead free flank keeps them interested
The game dealers can stuff off at those prices.

Mark

Mark

When ever possible I prefer not to have to submit carcases to the Game Dealers. But there is a limit to what the dogs can eat, and I have storage freezer space for.

Have you encountered any of the adrenalin associated toughness that 325 refers to?

 

[MarkH]

Hi Marty

To get round the game dealer problem I have a professional game chiller and do my own butchery for a numer of friends, relatives, hunt supporters etc etc.
The only tough venison is the stuff my mother in-law cooks otherwise no problems with adrenalin as far as I am concerned. We live on 90% venison as our meat supply. Yum-yum

Regards

Mark

 

[Marty]

The only tough venison is the stuff my mother in-law cooks

Do you think your M-i-L and mine went to the same cookery classes?

Even the dogs have problems eating her venison casserole.