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Overnight Deer Storage
#8553389
03/11/22 01:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148
Klinker
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148 |
Short of purchasing and installing a walk-in game cooler, how do you keep field dressed deer overnight - so you don't have to make a midnight run to the local processor?
Obviously when it is cold enough you can let them hang, but all too often not is just too hot for the carcass to be out overnight.
Ideas, suggestions, contraptions - I am a sucker for a good contraption!
***Obviously I realize they could be quartered...NOT trying to start a process your game at home thread. Yes, I own many sharp knives and have a barn full of adequate coolers - I just prefer to use a processor. Very sorry if that preference offends you!
Last edited by Klinker; 03/11/22 03:40 AM.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553410
03/11/22 02:08 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,678
bp3
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,678 |
Process and cut up ,leave evidence of sex and as above put in Igloo cooler with ice.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553432
03/11/22 02:21 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951 |
I took in a free large side by side freezer/icebox and set it up on the porch at our hunting camp and removed all the shelves. We use it mostly for stuffing bagged deer quarters and turkeys into it, but one average size field dressed doe will fit in it if we cut off the four legs at the joints. I'm sure a buck could too if the head was removed first. A lease I was on long ago, we had a big chest freezer out front with the temp turned as high as it would go so it did not freeze everything. I think we had as many as 3 field dressed deer stuffed into it at the same time.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553486
03/11/22 03:08 AM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148
Klinker
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148 |
Thanks Sniper John, I had briefly thought of a chest freezer.
Last edited by Klinker; 03/11/22 03:45 AM.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553600
03/11/22 10:17 AM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,213
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,213 |
I've seen people utilize old coke bottle and and can vending machines as cold storage. Pretty simple to strip out the inside and then have a convenient cold storage facility.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553682
03/11/22 02:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549 |
Know a few folks that have old ice freezers like you see in front of gas stations etc. called a merchandiser I think.
I never would but have a 225 quart ice chest a whole deer will fit in handily.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553710
03/11/22 02:36 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 61
jbmc
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 61 |
Chest freezer filled with 10 or more gallons jugs of frozen water. Fill dress and wash deer. Place in cooler and turn freezer off. Won't freeze your deer, and gives you time till you're ready to either quarter it or take it to a processor. I do this mainly during bow season when I take a deer late evening.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553714
03/11/22 02:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,866
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,866 |
couple more ideas ... find an old used Ready Ice (like convenience stores have out front) machine ... When we go to west Texas, we are a long ways from any cold storage or processor, so we fill several ice chests with small bags of ice (left in bag). Then if we kill something, field dress and stuff one bag up into the chest cavity and one bag in the gut/hind quarter area and wrap in a tarp (can wrap several in one tarp). Then replace bags of ice as they melt.
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553827
03/11/22 04:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 410
doggit
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 410 |
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553828
03/11/22 04:34 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091
Always ready 2 hunt
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091 |
Build your own storage with a "Cool Bot". I'm on the hunt for a self enclosed trailer or just box to insulated and install a window a/c and the Cool Bot. Plug power into generator. I don't need a full walk in size for just a couple day hunt. Just want something easy enough to drag/throw deer in and stay cool in case I decide not to quarter and ice chest it and too hot to let hang overnight
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553834
03/11/22 04:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185
hook_n_line
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185 |
I saw a free chest freezer on craigslist. It doesn't work but I guess with a few bags of ice I could keep a field dressed deer in it. I use it as a dry box most of the time.
Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553915
03/11/22 06:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953 |
Skin it and let it hang.
IMO people worry way too much about getting an animal on ice in normal hunting weather. Put it in the shade, and let it air cool. Unless it’s 95 degrees outside it isn’t gonna spoil in that amount of time.
Go see the way they handle game over in Africa and it will certainly change your opinion on what’s necessary or not.
Very few scenarios where making a “midnight run to the processor” is warranted
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553932
03/11/22 06:46 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,294
oldoak2000
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,294 |
Short of purchasing and installing a walk-in game cooler, how do you keep field dressed deer overnight - so you don't have to make a midnight run to the local processor? Obviously when it is cold enough you can let them hang, but all too often not is just too hot for the carcass to be out overnight. Ideas, suggestions, contraptions - I am a sucker for a good contraption! ***Obviously I realize they could be quartered...NOT trying to start a process your game at home thread. Yes, I own many sharp knives and have a barn full of adequate coolers - I just prefer to use a processor. Very sorry if that preference offends you! On the cheap end, a tarp or two, and a ton of ice. Shove full bags in the body cavity, and keep it in the shade. Doesn't get any cheaper/simpler than this. One step up is to find a 'free/broken' refrigerator or upright freezer, strip the insides, lay it down door up, and use it as a free 'monster ice chest'. Either way, since you're leaving the hide on, be SURE to give the setup a way to let the melted icewater drain off, so the dirty hide doesn't spoil the meat any more than necessary; Personally I'd always skin it if you don't have dry/cold storage - but you eat your meat any way you want to
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8553940
03/11/22 06:57 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,063
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,063 |
We have an old refrigerator at the lease we use to put quartered deer in. The top is used for frozen milk jugs, if not cold we put thhead in a sack and place a gallon jug of ice in the bag. Works ok for us.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: oldoak2000]
#8554101
03/11/22 10:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148
Klinker
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148 |
Short of purchasing and installing a walk-in game cooler, how do you keep field dressed deer overnight - so you don't have to make a midnight run to the local processor? Obviously when it is cold enough you can let them hang, but all too often not is just too hot for the carcass to be out overnight. Ideas, suggestions, contraptions - I am a sucker for a good contraption! ***Obviously I realize they could be quartered...NOT trying to start a process your game at home thread. Yes, I own many sharp knives and have a barn full of adequate coolers - I just prefer to use a processor. Very sorry if that preference offends you! On the cheap end, a tarp or two, and a ton of ice. Shove full bags in the body cavity, and keep it in the shade. Doesn't get any cheaper/simpler than this. One step up is to find a 'free/broken' refrigerator or upright freezer, strip the insides, lay it down door up, and use it as a free 'monster ice chest'. Either way, since you're leaving the hide on, be SURE to give the setup a way to let the melted icewater drain off, so the dirty hide doesn't spoil the meat any more than necessary; Personally I'd always skin it if you don't have dry/cold storage - but you eat your meat any way you want to The gutted refrigerator . . . forgot about that one! When I go fishing in Mexico, the talapia fishermen have them all along the shoreline to store their fish. NEVER eat "fresh" talapia in Mexico!!!
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8554265
03/12/22 02:06 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
Honestly, when I was a kid we’d hang them no matter the weather and not process them until we got home on Sunday. Cut the legs off and put a fly bag on them, put some pepper in the nose and don’t worry about it. They tasted fine, and we’d kill at least 5 a weekend. Now I quarter them up and put in a cooler. I think a week on ice makes them more tender, but doesn’t change the taste that much.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: scalebuster]
#8554639
03/12/22 05:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148
Klinker
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148 |
Honestly, when I was a kid we’d hang them no matter the weather and not process them until we got home on Sunday. Cut the legs off and put a fly bag on them, put some pepper in the nose and don’t worry about it. They tasted fine, and we’d kill at least 5 a weekend. Now I quarter them up and put in a cooler. I think a week on ice makes them more tender, but doesn’t change the taste that much. Curious . . . what did "pepper in the nose" do?
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8554642
03/12/22 05:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148
Klinker
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 148 |
Very interesting to me to hear what different people did, do, think about doing! So many different customs and approaches.
Dad used to be fond of saying, 'there is more than one way to skin a cat'. To this day, I still don't understand the origins of that saying!!!
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8554667
03/12/22 05:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951 |
Honestly, when I was a kid we’d hang them no matter the weather and not process them until we got home on Sunday. Cut the legs off and put a fly bag on them, put some pepper in the nose and don’t worry about it. They tasted fine, and we’d kill at least 5 a weekend. Now I quarter them up and put in a cooler. I think a week on ice makes them more tender, but doesn’t change the taste that much. Curious . . . what did "pepper in the nose" do?Repels flies. The nose is one of the first places they will start laying eggs. My lease if it is much above 50 degrees, it is a battle to keep the flies from laying eggs on them before they get cut up or stuffed in the ice box. I always keep a big shaker of pepper at the lease. It helps.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8556203
03/14/22 04:35 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429
Exiled
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429 |
Interesting, @SniperJohn, is the lease at a cattle operation?
"Who Dares, Wins" Instagram: @HCConnected
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8558729
03/18/22 12:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 446
Brother Phil
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 446 |
I quarter the deer/hog were it fell, and into the cooler it goes. When I used to hang a deer overnight in camp, as long as the temp got down to 50 degrees F, or cooler, I did not worry about it.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8558795
03/18/22 12:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 570
Papalote
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 570 |
Small chest freezer. I dont put ice directly on meat.
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Klinker]
#8558926
03/18/22 02:58 AM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,241
QMC SW/EXW
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,241 |
A couple of good coolers and a couple bags of ice will keepa deer for a couple of days. Problem solved
Retired Navy Chief NJROTC Instructor for Tascosa High School
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Re: Overnight Deer Storage
[Re: Sniper John]
#8558950
03/18/22 03:47 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953 |
Honestly, when I was a kid we’d hang them no matter the weather and not process them until we got home on Sunday. Cut the legs off and put a fly bag on them, put some pepper in the nose and don’t worry about it. They tasted fine, and we’d kill at least 5 a weekend. Now I quarter them up and put in a cooler. I think a week on ice makes them more tender, but doesn’t change the taste that much. Curious . . . what did "pepper in the nose" do?Repels flies. The nose is one of the first places they will start laying eggs. My lease if it is much above 50 degrees, it is a battle to keep the flies from laying eggs on them before they get cut up or stuffed in the ice box. I always keep a big shaker of pepper at the lease. It helps. X2 on the pepper. I hang them in the shade and let it ride. Debate is hide on or off but I’ve done both. If it’s not dusty I’ll skin them. That meat gets a good glaze on it it’s pretty protected. Pepper the carcass and your good to go.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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