field processing

[Waukesha slim]

When I do a gutless or a standard field dress do I need to hang the 1/4's and let them cool further or can I finish processing immediately?

 

[beran_10]

I would say that depends on how soon you can get it off the mountain and into a freezer or meat locker. I personally debone the entire elk right a way and get it off the mountain ASAP and into the freezer in the truck. If you have to leave some meat on the mountain for a second trip, I would definitely hang the 1/4's in the shade to cool. Just my opinion...Good Luck!!!

 

[turbo1967]

If its cool out it doesnt matter , if its hot than its what ever method makes it cool down the fastest , if your deboning than you just dont want to pile a bunch in a bag , the air needs to get around it to cool it, I personally like to leave the bone in the rear quarters so it carries on a pack better. 

 

[coloelko]

Do what ever you can to cool the meat as soon as possible. I'd say get the quarters hanging as youtake them off the animal assuming there's a tree near by.

 

[Matt Brimmer]

Do what ever you can to cool the meat as soon as possible. I'd say get the quarters hanging as you take them off the animal assuming there's a tree near by.

Couldn't agree more!  As the quarters come off hang them ASAP!  I like pulling off the rear quarter first and than make a deep incision in line with the head of the femor.  A significant amount of heat is held within that area and cooling it down quickly will eliminate the possibility of bone souring.
Josh Boyd just had a great article on Meat care in the field in the last Extreame Elk mag.  There is also some articles that other Elk 101 prostaffers have written over the past few years.
Hope everyone has a great season!  T- 5 days and it's go time!

 

[Marc_350]

In Idaho we used to let our elk and deer hang for a week before we butchered it, but here in colorado it's so warm during archery I just butcher it when I get it home. Makes for a long long day but in the end it always worth it. We used to mix half the hamburger with beef hamburger so that way the girls wouldn't know lol

 

[wapiti_will]

In Idaho we used to let our elk and deer hang for a week before we butchered it, but here in colorado it's so warm during archery I just butcher it when I get it home. Makes for a long long day but in the end it always worth it. We used to mix half the hamburger with beef hamburger so that way the girls wouldn't know lol

mixing with beef...ouch.  i'm glad my wife and kids are like me, once they started eating elk, it made store bought beef taste like crap.  no comparison.