What if I dont hang the deer...

[Al Bundy]

My shoulders are hosed up enough where hanging a deer is a problem. Im going out for xbow and hoping to drop something. I have always hung deer for a few days at least. I don't think I can hang one this year and wonder if I leave it flat on the ground or possibly flat in the basement what that may do to the meat. I think yotes may get if I leave flat on the ground so thinking basement for 3-4 days, depending on the temps. Comments??

[mowin]

Rig up a harbor freight winch.  Too easy. 

[Robhuntandfish]

I use a boat trailer winch.  $20 and works great.  

[moog5050]

The last time I doubled up in a day, I left one on my garage floor for the night while the other hung.  It was fine.  Not sure I would "age a deer" without hanging but in cold temps over one night it didn't matter.

And I love my electric winch.  I now sit while processing my deer.  and move whatever part I am working on to my level.

Edited October 30, 2018 by moog5050

[LET EM GROW]

Electric winch, Crank off a boat trailer. or pull hoist will help wonders. Have used them all. We skin and de bone standing, than process at a table while sitting slugging down a few beers. Always a good night!

[Moho81]

All good suggestions so far. I'll add skin and quarter right away then keep it in a fridge for a few days if necessary to finish the processing. 

[Al Bundy]

Hand crank still not so good on the shoulders.  This would need to age on the floor then I'll butcher. I need to look into electric winch for next season.

Anyone care to share a jpeg of their setup?

[Five Seasons]

plenty of game are quartered in the field and eaten all over the world. There are a few reasons we hang.

helps drain the blood

allows for even cooling (think cold or warm floor only applied to one side)

helps stretch the deer out uniformly, maxing skinning easier

but probably the biggest reason, and it has nothing to do with quality of meat. It's just easier to skin and process. 

 

Moog and I both have a similar setup, and depending on how bad your shoulders are, the install might be difficult. But I recommend and use the harbor freight hoist. $80 I think for the 400 lb one. If you have open rafters it's an easier install, and there are a couple of good ways to do this, and some not so good ways. If you have a ceiling in your garage like I do (and I think moog did too) then go with an 8' 2x8 or 2x10. mount the hoist to the middle of board and then from below you can secure the board to your joists. I recommend a spot where trust meets joist for added security. However the 8' board will be secured across 3 joists which distributes the weight, with the hoist being in the middle. 

I've only done deer and a lawnmower, but my ceiling hasn't collapsed yet. Also figure you're adding force when pulling down the hide and she's still in good shape. 

[Al Bundy]

Excellent post. Thanks for that. Very very helpful.

[grampy]

I think my shoulders AND back, would hurt much WORSE, trying to skin and butcher from floor level !!

Getting an inexpensive electric hoist like suggested above, will be so much easier on ya. Or call a buddy to help you get it hung up?

Good luck crossbow hunting!

 

 

[philoshop]

Many years ago I bought a cheap block and tackle setup to get deer into the truck bed for the ride home when I was alone. It works great for hoisting as well. I think it's 5 to1 mechanical advantage, so a 150 pound deer is like raising or moving 30 pounds. simple and effective.

[Bigfoot 327]

Only deer that I have had go bad on me was one that I didn't hang. Never again. I don't cut up my own deer, but they are hanging in my processors cooler within hours of being taken.