Proccessing Deer/Elk

[pse360]

Hi guys,

I have a question that hopefully I can be helped out with. If you kill a deer/elk  in the evening where do you store the meat until you can get it processed? I'm originally from Ga and we actually had deer coolers that would stay open till about 10 pm during hunting season. I just don't see coolers here. Last year I took my deer to Stewarts meats because I just so happened to kill in the morning but I'm not sure what to do in the evening.  I live in an apartment now and don't really have the room to hang it. So what do you guys do in a situation like this. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[NRA4LIFE]

Quarter it and get it in coolers on ice.

[stevemiller]

In the evening(most seasons) its plenty cool enough to hang it in a bag over night,process it in the morning or get it to a cooler in the morning to hang for a few days.Are you gonna be overnight in the hills or coming home after harvest?

[MtnMuley]

Right now, I'd hang it outside.  36 degrees here this morning.

[Patarero]

Quarter, coolers, ice.  Might put something a little more substantial between meat and the ice.

Hanging a deer outside your apartment could make for an interesting story though..... 

[pse360]

Awesome guys I really appreciate the quick replies. Love this site haha

[pse360]

If I quarter it up in the field, I have to leave evidence that it's either a buck or doe on one of the hind quarters correct?

[TheHunt]

There is a table that is available which shows how long meat can hang verse the temperature the meat is exposed.  I have done the ice and cooler and it works great. 

With the current temperature you should not have a problem hanging it until you can process it or you can take it some place to process it.