How to Keep the Venison Fresh After the Hunt

Searching for deer to hunt is only half of the exhilaration, and finally putting one down brings a sense of achievement but its cooking up the venison which really gets your taste buds tingling.

 

 

Deer Meat: How to Keep the Venison Fresh After the Hunt

Most hunters venture the wild in order to hunt one of the most prized meats - venison. Searching for deer to hunt is only half of the exhilaration, and finally putting one down brings a sense of achievement but its cooking up the venison which really gets your taste buds tingling.

A question we are often asked is how does one keep the meat fresh and safe after hunting?

Preparation is key when it comes to handling the deer carcass. After all, it would be such a waste hunting this graceful animal and not be able to consume it. Here are some essential items that should be brought on the hunt.

• Sharp knife

• Small hatchet

• Whetstone for sharpening

• Several feet of rope/ nylon cord

• Six-inch rubber bands

• Clean cloths/ paper towels

• Sealable storage bags

• Esky or cooler filled with ice

• Disposable gloves

• Clean drinking water

Before cutting the deer open, the person handling the deer should ensure they are wearing disposable gloves to prevent cross-contamination. One should also remember to clean the knife frequently with clean water or moistened wipes in order to avoid dragging bacteria onto the meat. Lastly, the deer should be positioned on its back in preparation for cutting.

The first part one should cut through would be around the anus to loosen the bung. It should be tied with either a rope or rubber bands to prevent feces from spilling over the carcass when pulling it out. After which, the deer can be cut along the midline from the breastbone to the genitals, carefully avoiding to puncture any internal organ such as intestines, paunch and diaphragm. .

After properly cutting the carcass, the organs can be disposed properly while meat cuts need to be stored in plastic storage bags and stored in ice or refrigerated as soon as possible. The open carcass can be wiped with clean paper towels or washed with water but must be dried quickly to prevent spoilage. After which, ice sealed in storage bags need to be placed within the cavity and tie it shut with a rope.

Transporting the carcass should be a lot easier than dressing it for as long as some considerations are observed. First, the carcass needs to be cooled to around 2-4 Degrees celsius with proper air circulation. It should also be kept away from direct sunlight to ensure its freshness.

You can also check our guide to skinning a deer which gives a good overview of alternative skinning procedures. Also worth checking out is the video for the skinner.

Venison is considered to be one of the most in-demand meat in the market and we enjoy posting venison recipes on our blog. It has a more interesting flavor than pork or chicken and also contains less fat. It also has the highest protein content among any major meat. It is no surprise that it is something worth hunting for. We would love to hear your comments, so be sure to leave them below.