Deer processing

[General Lee]

Hello all-

For several years I had access to a walk in box to hang deer in. This spolied me me as it was a huge convenience. Simply hang deer and when it was convienent for me within the week I would process the deer.

The walk in box is no longer availble and lots of time the weather in southern Maryland can get warm this time of year. I'm curious as to what others do to cool that deer down if the weather isn't cold enough to let a deer hang outside for a day or two?

Quarter it and put it in a cooler on ice? Quarter it and place in an spare fridge?

 

[BoylermanCT]

We bought our farm 6 years ago, and in the barn in a 10x10 walk in cooler. Would be perfect for this! If anyone wants it, they can come haul it off for free! I don't think the AC unit on the ceiling works anymore, but you can get a replacement for a few hundred bucks.

 

[idaho2]

General Lee,

Check this web site for the Coolbot unit. DIY Walk-in Cooler for Agriculture, Brewery, Floral, Hunting, etc I think you'll find it interesting. Local cheese and bake shop has three separate coolers in his retail store using these units. Has had one on his dairy for years.

idaho2

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Gut/skin it right away, split it and take the wind pipe out, keep it dry and in the shade and it will last for several days until you get it processed...

I've always processed all of my moose, bear, caribou, deer and ect... BUT, I found a place that does it MY WAY and gives me MY deer back, cut/wrapped/frozen for 50 bucks. I no longer want to do it for that price!

I took a nice buck to him a few days ago, he makes really GOOD deer sticks too!

SR

 

[grnspot110]

If it's too warm to cool out overnight, I don't harvest one!

 

[2458n]

took my deer to a well known meat market to be processed for 50 dollars. I had skinned it myself using the Kubota front loader. Well they hung it in the cooler next to a road kill, that was hanging on several hooks due to its condition. Long story short my first package of deer burger tasted like @#$%. Dog got the rest of the meat. Should have packed it back home when I saw where it hung in the cooler. Same here no shooting until it is cool enough to process at home.

 

[MossRoad]

A spare refrigerator is great to have. We've got one in our basement that we fire up for holidays, canning, parties, etc.... otherwise, it stays off with the door cracked open to keep it dry inside. You can get 18cubic foot refrigerators brand new for less than $400. Used ones on Craig's list or at salvage shops are even cheaper.

 

[jack707]

I cut this doe up myself I rather be cutting it up then someone else.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Im spoiled. My father in law has a walk in cooler, and meat house. Skin my deer outside, hang it in the cooler, pick it up in a few days, nicely cut wrapped frozen and in a box. Nice reward for 20+ years of slingin hay bales...

 

[MossRoad]

Im spoiled. My father in law has a walk in cooler, and meat house. Skin my deer outside, hang it in the cooler, pick it up in a few days, nicely cut wrapped frozen and in a box. Nice reward for 20+ years of slingin hay bales...

My father in law has a refrigerator in his garage. I can place a full case of beer in there, and in a few days we have a nice box, too.