leaving elk overnight

[dave.o]

Hi Everyone,


            I tried to do search for this but came up empty handed. I was wondering if anyone has had any success with recovering meat off of an elk after it lay overnight. A few years back we found a 5 x 5 and recovered the meat only to have the butcher say go away... Normally we don't waste any time getting one out of the field but was curious about others stories.


Thanks


Dave

 

[lang]

Should be OK.  Happened to me a few years ago.  Shot was right at dark, hot september day probably mid 70's.  Wasn't sure about the shot, no blood, no arrow so left him overnight... found him about 9 the next morning in the shade of a river bottom.  Meat was great.  I'm no expert, but would imagine you should be able to tell from the smell and color once you start working on it.

 

[beran_10]

I agree with lang. If the meat doesn't smell bad or isn't discolored (which it shouldn't be), you should be perfectly fine. Maybe if it was gut shot in combination with the liver or something the meat would possibly be tainted. I've left elk overnight twice now and it still tastes better than any t-bone or ribeye you can find in the store! Good luck and savor that delicious organic protein!!!

 

[northwesthunter84]

Really you should be fine with letting one go overnight.  Especially if the temps drop below 40 degree's.  The meat should not go bad in that short of a period, the only places that I would trim around would be the wound.  That's what is really exposed to the air.  If it doesn't cool off then I would try to get the meat off the bone asap because you could get some bone souring.  Elk temp runs at around 102F so if you get the hide off air temp usually helps.  Always trust you gut though, if the meat looks or smells weird it will let you know.  Paunch hits are tough, my rule of thumb is keep blades clean and if there is a question don't mix it in with known good meat.  It only takes a little to ruin an entire batch of burger.