Deer hanger

[Basfis]

1 hour ago, Johnsfolly said:

I usually like to hang them with skin on for 3 to 4 days before.processing. that is if the weather allows. Needs to be less than 43 deg Ave daily temp. I feel that time allows the muscles to rigor up them relax even have the fibers separate some. Makes the venison more tender.

I’ve shifted to the gutless method and try to get them out of their hide and in a game bag with block ice ASAP. I truly think the meat has improved as a result. 
All things equal, it certainly reduces extra blood contamination, glands, risk of intestinal fluid, etc  At the same time, I have no carcass to deal with at the house. 

[MrGiggles]

I have a couple antique gambrels, basically a bar with two cast hooks and a swivel loop on top. Hooks into that tendon behind the knee.

I have a cheap 1/2" rope pulley tied to a garage rafter. Feed the rope through there, tie it off to the ATV winch, and winch them up, tie the gambrel up when done. 

The garage is insulated/unheated and stays pretty cold with all the doors and windows shut. Couple that with a few cold nights and I'm comfortable leaving them hang with the hide on for a few days unless we have a really bad warm spell. The meat stays cold enough to be uncomfortable while skinning.

We have a neighbor that strings them up in the front yard, lets them hang for a week in the sun even when it's 60*, no hide. The things are black and nasty by the time they process the carcass, but they keep doing it.

 

[grizwilson]

On 2/20/2022 at 11:47 AM, Dutch said:

We’ve tried lots of ways to hang and dress deer.  Last fall I watched my grandson and his wife dress a couple of bucks.  It was an ordeal with the tow cable of my Kawasaki mule over a tree limb hooked to the deer.  I’m planning to buy him something for his birthday and this has caught my eye.  I can be attached to the mule or a pickup truck.  It is supposed to be rated at 400#.  Have any of you used anything like this?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/hme-hitch-hoist-with-swivel-and-gambrel

We have one, leaning on the wall of the shed.  It is a project to get on, heavy awkward PIA, once on the ranger you loose ground clearance, once you get to deer you have hope you have room to extend enough to raise the deer to about 10 feet to clear the bed.  I just wait until one of the youngens comes in to load by hand, faster easier to me, or get a neighbor.  When to shed we have one of those harbor freight hoist works great to raise lower to skin and process.  If all alone I would likely do as I do elk out west, get them on their belly, spread legs, split hide down the back, pull down, bone out, have to saw a few ribs to get tenderloins.  Have not tried on deer yet, but I can have a elk boned to just meat quicker than I can field dress and quarter. That said, I have not been checked by game warden out there for proof of sex??? With telecheck here should not be an issue.   If the darn thing was not so heavy and awkward I would bring over to you to try, too lazy to disassemble.  Will be sold as scrap at some point.

[Dutch]

30 minutes ago, grizwilson said:

We have one, leaning on the wall of the shed.  It is a project to get on, heavy awkward PIA, once on the ranger you loose ground clearance, once you get to deer you have hope you have room to extend enough to raise the deer to about 10 feet to clear the bed.  I just wait until one of the youngens comes in to load by hand, faster easier to me, or get a neighbor.  When to shed we have one of those harbor freight hoist works great to raise lower to skin and process.  If all alone I would likely do as I do elk out west, get them on their belly, spread legs, split hide down the back, pull down, bone out, have to saw a few ribs to get tenderloins.  Have not tried on deer yet, but I can have a elk boned to just meat quicker than I can field dress and quarter. That said, I have not been checked by game warden out there for proof of sex??? With telecheck here should not be an issue.   If the darn thing was not so heavy and awkward I would bring over to you to try, too lazy to disassemble.  Will be sold as scrap at some point.

Had I know that I known that I would have made you an offer on yours.  However, I decided to go ahead and order one.  Since it only had to come 20 miles it go here in 2 days.

 

[grizwilson]

9 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Had I know that I known that I would have made you an offer on yours.  However, I decided to go ahead and order one.  Since it only had to come 20 miles it go here in 2 days.

 

Sorry, just seen the thread this morning.  While I probably live within 2 miles of you, the farm is 3.5 hrs north.  Would suggest trying it out before the return window closes, just my 2 cents.  

[Flyfisher for men]

On 2/21/2022 at 4:49 PM, Johnsfolly said:

I usually like to hang them with skin on for 3 to 4 days before.processing. that is if the weather allows. Needs to be less than 43 deg Ave daily temp. I feel that time allows the muscles to rigor up them relax even have the fibers separate some. Makes the venison more tender.

And I let them age that long as well. Nothing like good, tender venison.

[oneshot]

Bought a deal to help me hang get a Deer into the Pickup.

Got a huge swing in side yard that works good hanging Deer.

oneshot