aging venison in a cooler

[Lost Buckaroo]

the butcher told me that wild game meat does not posses the enzime that beef does. so an aging period is not necessary just a matter of pref. for most people. I used to have a spare fridge. and I would put it on the racks like Sika, since I moved here i no longer have a fridge I throw mine in a cooler and bury it in ice until I get a chance to cut it up. the next weekend is the norm.

[raw10628]

What is the purpose of leaving it on ice so long?

[Roscoe]

What is the purpose of leaving it on ice so long?

You come in from hunting on Sunday nite and don't have the time til mess with it until the next weekend.

[Landrover]

Up to 10 days in ice. Leave the drain plug open and add ice as needed to ensure the the meat is "packed". Watch for the ice on top to stay intact while the ice on bottom has melted away. Bounce cooler occasionally to keep this from occurring.

Just added 20 pounds to my cooler 5 minutes ago. Leave the plug open place a 4 inch object under the opposite end to continually drain water. Add ice as needed.

It will be fine with ice on it!!!! Been doing it that way for many years!!!

Never had a problem either with ice touching it.

You come in from hunting on Sunday nite and don't have the time til mess with it until the next weekend.

LMAO....with deer I truly believe that sicne the meat don't really get rank like a old boar hog. I have never done longer than 5 days like some guys noted though.

[Foot Patrol]

I put the deer in ice and vinegar when I first started hunting. I then went to just soaking in ice. I really did not like the flavor. I then went up north to visit my bother. Up there they let there deer hang outside or in a hanging cooler for a few days before processing. No ice ever touches there meat. The flavor was great.

Since then I keep the ice in the bags. I put several bags of ice on the bottom of the cooler, another one inside the rib cage and a few on top. I have noticed a huge difference in taste for the better. I use to keep it in the cooler for a week before taking it to the processor and now I try to get it there as quickly as possible.

[Syr02]

wow very interesting , You learn something new everyday

[Hollywood]

I am with lost buckaroo, no enzymes no aging. I always get mine quartered & on ice as soon as possible, I don't mind letting it slosh around the 1st day or so ( seems to help draw out the blood ) & then drain while adding ice. I have been doing this for years & feel it's the blood that makes meat GAMEY & TOUGH, I like to leave it on ice a minimum of 5 days.

[Walking Eagle]

The true benefit of aging venison is the draining of the blood. I usually will leave mine in the ice chest for 3-5 days covered in ice with the plug open. If you process your own venison, you'll see a huge difference between aging and not aging.

[Grillen Joe]

I put mine on ice saturday and will process it thursday. I shot mine with a 30-06 to..

[slacker]

I leave mine in the ice chest until the water stays clear(5-7 days). I fill ice chest with ice and add water with drain plug closed. Drain each day or two depending on how much ice is left. Add ice and fill it back up again.

[Snakelover]

There is a definite benefit to aging. Lots of articles on the internet about it, many from butchers. Here's one from Field & Stream...

Deer Hang Time - Field & Stream

My preference is to age venison in the refrigerator for 4-7 days, already quartered. I don't like the meat to come in contact with water if I can help it. I do not try to force blood out of the meat. Yes, a lot of blood will come out during the aging time. But I like a juicy steak so I keep the aging meat in ziplock storage bags to keep it from bleeding out excessively.

[Artos]

X2...

There is a definite benefit to aging.

...walk in coolers are GREAT!! Gut / hang and forget about it....I like to skin and debone under the lights after the late hunt weeks later. You certainly get spoiled after having one of these. They also keep your ice from feezing for days!! I just throw my whole cooler in when I drive into camp.

I used to give most of the meat away till I started aging...makes all the difference in the world.

[bobo]

Have yall seen the huge 5 gallon ziploc's on the info commercials?

I saw one once they put a tow chain in it and thru it in the back of a pick-up and the bag never got holes in it.

They were tough as nails. Anyhow does anyone know where to get the 5 gallon ziplocs to keep air off the meet?

My does were hanging for 6 days and go all dried out.

[47]

...walk in coolers are GREAT!! Gut / hang and forget about it....I like to skin and debone under the lights after the late hunt weeks later. You certainly get spoiled after having one of these. They also keep your ice from feezing for days!! I just throw my whole cooler in when I drive into camp.

I used to give most of the meat away till I started aging...makes all the difference in the world.

yep

[Roscoe]

Have yall seen the huge 5 gallon ziploc's on the info commercials?

Anyhow does anyone know where to get the 5 gallon ziplocs to keep air off the meet?

Pretty sure Walmart has them.