How to Keep Your Game From Spoiling

Harvesting game on a hunting trip is challenging enough, but the hard work has only just begun. Now you need to look after the meat for the rest of the excursion and prevent it from going bad. Perhaps you are an experienced hunter. Have you taught the next generation to properly care for their harvest too?

How can you handle this task without cutting things short? Apply these strategies to keep your game from spoiling and preserve its quality.

Avoid Taking Risky Shots

Keeping your game fresh is a process that begins before you take the shot. You must consider where the animal might fall, whenever identifying a potential target. For example, if you shoot a deer and it falls into a deep ravine, you may not reach the carcass in time. You may be lucky to find it before another predator does.

You will save lots of precious time by avoiding those risky shots and saving your bullets for a more opportune moment. If the animal is standing in an easily accessible area, feel free to shoot. If it’s hundreds of yards away and surrounded by rough terrain, consider letting it go and looking for a better target.

Shot placement is another important factor to consider. The goal is to kill the animal as quickly as possible. Heart and lung shots are most effective for deer, elk, and other big game. An inaccurate shot might still cause a lethal wound, but it could run for miles before dying. If the animal dies on the spot, you can start the field dressing process immediately.

Master the Art of Field Dressing

Start field dressing once you secure the animal. Spoiling begins as soon as the animal’s heart stops beating. You should always bring these tools on your hunting trips to speed up the process:

• Field knife: A field knife with a drop-point blade will help you cut through the carcass without making a mess, saving time.
• Wet wipes: Some blood will get onto your hands, clothes, and the outside of the carcass. If left alone, the blood will quickly dry and start to smell. Clean the blood off as best you can before it dries.
• Rubber gloves: Disposable rubber gloves will also help you keep the mess under control and spend less time dressing the animal.

Although speed is important when field dressing a fallen animal, precision is the top priority. That means you must study your prey’s anatomy and learn where to make the right incisions without tearing up the fresh meat. Mastering the art of field dressing will keep the carcass intact and help it stay fresh longer.

Watch the Weather Forecast

Your hunting trip’s weather conditions will significantly impact how long the meat stays fresh. If temperatures are cool and clouds are blocking the sun, you could have a maximum of 24 hours before it becomes inedible. If temperatures are above 80 degrees and the sun is beating down on you, the time gets cut in half to about 12 hours at most.

Understanding weather conditions gives you a better chance of keeping your meat fresh. However, you still need to hurry no matter what. The weather might work in your favor but don’t expect it to save you if you slack off and fail to take proper care of the carcass.

Build a Walk-in Freezer Hunting Trailer

Refrigeration is the only surefire way to keep meat fresh for more than 24 hours. Small freezers are available, but most aren’t large enough for big game. If you have the budget and take your hunting trips seriously, you should consider building a custom trailer with a freezer.

A hunting trailer is especially valuable when you have a successful hunt on the first day of the trip and must store your meat for a few days. You can even set up a butchering area along with the freezer to prepare certain cuts of meat during your leisure time.

Use a Meat-Preserving Spray

Game or meat-preserving spray is an amazing resource for long hunting trips or warm-weather hunts. The main ingredient is citric acid, which slows down bacteria growth and forms a dark crust on the outside of the carcass. This prevents flies from laying eggs on the meat.

Citric acid also improves the meat’s water-holding capacity, making it more tender. That’s why people often use it in their barbeque marinades. Use game spray immediately after finishing field dressing to reap the benefits.

Invest in Quality Game Bags

Every hunter needs a set of high-quality game bags. The nylon, polyester, and cotton blend accomplishes several things, especially providing thorough ventilation and keeping the meat cool. The moisture-wicking fabrics will also offset some of the air’s humidity and keep the meat dry. The bags also keep out bugs and bacteria.

Game bags will make the carcass easier to carry back to your campsite. You can stuff everything into a lightweight bag instead of dragging it through the woods or hauling it on your back. If you’re hunting in a group, you can evenly split the meat into multiple bags and have everyone carry a share of the load.

Keep Your Hard-Earned Game Fresh

Animals rarely fall into your lap on a hunting trip. It can take days to see any hint of activity. When you finally kill an animal, you must dress the carcass and get it back to your freezer as soon as possible. These tips will help you execute that task quickly and precisely, allowing you to keep your hard-earned game and share it with your loved ones.

What game will you be hunting this Fall? Do you have a tip for caring for game after the shot? Share your answers in the Comment section, and Good Hunting!