new hunter - after hours processing/ cold storage DFW

[bulletpusher]

I am not trying to hijack the thread, but I needed some clarification on this. In my 25 years of hunting I have never seen anyone say that meat touching water would damage the meat. I am sure that it does have some positive benefits. Could you, or anyone else, please help me to understand what exactly happens? I really hope this didnt come off as rude. I am always looking for ways to better myself. Thanks.

If there is any kind of bad stuff (IE. ecoli, stomach content, nicked bowel which is common with bowhunting, and gutting) on just ONE of the pieces of meat, the water will do a great job of cross contaminating every piece of meat in the water. Which will do a great job in making all the meat taste like poop, or getting you sick. Neither of which anyone wants.

Water also will take a perfectly good looking, dark red piece of back strap and turn it a very nasty looking confederate Grey in a very short period of time. Here is the test.

Go down to the store buy two steaks, come back and wrap one in paper towels, and put the other in a bowl of water, and rest them in the fridge for two days. Then go get both out, then tell me which one your gonna eat for dinner. There is no question, cool and dry gets grilled, and water soaked one goes to the dog. Trust me there are no water tanks in the back of ANY five star steakhouse kitchens, but there are cold air racks. Hope this helps.

[Cam-Mac]

Good luck with your hunt.

And interesting bulletpusher- havent ever really thought about it like that...

[BIGTERRY75]

Where exactly (area not gps coordinates) are you hunting? There are places that will come out and meet you at the store/processor when you get there if you are after hours.

[Loneaggie]

Quarter and drop in the cooler. Works like a charm. In reference to legalities: proof of sex must accompany to final destination, and below is quoted from TPWD

The four quarters and two backstraps are the only parts of a deer required by law to be kept in edible condition. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department encourages all hunters to continue to keep other portions of the deer (trimmings from the neck and rib cage) in edible condition. Edible condition does not include any portion of a game animal, game bird, or fish that is: bruised by bullet, shot, or arrow, or otherwise destroyed as a result of harvest; decayed or rotting at the time of harvest; or obviously infected or diseased at the time of harvest.