meat spoiliage

STINGRAY · 10-22-2007, 08:16 AM

Any one know about how long it takes before a animal spoils with guts still in? My buddy shot a buck Sat. and we had to drag it down hill but got snagged in some THICK timber, we didn't gut it because we didn't want to get the inside dirty on the way down, we guessed it would only take less than an hour...wrong, 4-hours latter we made it to the truck before we gutted the deer. Man did it rain, hail, thunder and lightning.

Rank Amateur · 10-22-2007, 08:19 AM

4 hours shouldn't have hurt it. Over night-

. How long before it was skinned???

RJS34 · 10-22-2007, 08:21 AM

I think it is important to try and gut the deer fairly soon. Not only will it air it out better but it will make it lighter for dragging.

What we do when we drag a deer down (much like you described) is to "stitch" up the cavity by just taking some rope and making holes in the hide underneath the ribs and closing up the cavity. It works very well as it keeps most of the dust and junk out. We also close the hind legs together with rope.

But it sounds like you should be ok. You will know if it is bad

Legend21 · 10-22-2007, 09:44 AM

As long as it didn't sit out in that rain too long, as you described, you should be fine. Yeah you'll know if it's bad pretty quick just by the smell. Sounds like RJS34 has a good idea for a quick stitch job for the future, thanks for the info.

Good luck man, let us know how it turns out.

toas243 · 10-22-2007, 09:53 AM

Also poke some holes in you game bag for the rear legs and wrap it around you animal ,you do carry game bags in your pack

Don Becker · 10-22-2007, 10:52 AM

I also carry a large curved needle and some 80# test fishing line in my pack for stitching-up the cavity, if needed. I, too, doubt you have a problem in this case. As soon as I figured-out the drag was going to be longer than anticipated, I probably would have gone ahead and gutted it. But, aside from taking reasonable precautions, I don't get too worried about dirt in the cavity. When back to the vehicle and/or camp, wash it out well with vinegar water and pat it dry, trim-off what needs to be trimmed and you're good-to-go. Don

ehunter · 10-22-2007, 11:11 AM

Yep one of the best things you can do to your meat is get it rinsed off and then let it dry and keep it dry. You can also just zip to the rib cage and stuff a coat in the cavity in a pinch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Becker

I also carry a large curved needle and some 80# test fishing line in my pack for stitching-up the cavity, if needed. I, too, doubt you have a problem in this case. As soon as I figured-out the drag was going to be longer than anticipated, I probably would have gone ahead and gutted it. But, aside from taking reasonable precautions, I don't get too worried about dirt in the cavity. When back to the vehicle and/or camp, wash it out well with vinegar water and pat it dry, trim-off what needs to be trimmed and you're good-to-go. Don