Deer Processing
THE SHOT A clean kill (heart / lung) of an unexpected deer prevents adrenaline and lactic acid build up in muscle of running deer.
AFTER THE SHOT Wait 30 minutes for deer to lie down. They will lay down an die peacefully, preventing adrenaline build up
Approach a down deer from behind with gun ready. Touch the eye to make sure it is dead.
Field Dressing Use proper evisceration Avoid rupture of Paunch :(
Keep it Clean, Cool and Dry!! Prevent Bacteria Growth!!!
SKINNING Careful with knife edges (who’s blood is it?) Careful not to get hair on meat. Leaving skin on prevents dehydration and infestation of meat before butchering.
“Maturing” (Aging) of venison or beef product of enzymes, (not bacteria), breaking down of myofibrils causing fiber bundles to fail at smaller extensions.
3 MAJOR PARTS OF THE DEER (primal cuts ) 1. Front Quarter: Roasts, small steaks, jerky, grinding meat for sausage, hamburger 2. Hind Quarter: Round steaks, Sirloin, Tip 3. Loins: Each side of backbone, Tender steaks called chops or butterflies
OTHER PARTS: 1. Shank meat: From lower leg, high incidence of muscle sheathing, good for grinding. 2. Ribs: Less desirable than beef ribs. Venison fat does not melt in your mouth. 3. Neck meat: Should be salvaged for grinding or jerky.
HAMBURGER / OR SAUSAGE MAKING: Grind meat, add preferred spices, regrind with smaller screen, stuff mixture into casings (natural or artificial) Breakfast / Polish / Thuringer / Summer sausage. Hang in smoker to preserve and flavor.
VENISON JERKY *small strips of meat *seasoned with salt sugar mix *dried in oven or smoker *shelf life extend even with out refrigeration
Butchering and Knife Safety
Knives: 1. High Carbon Steel: Easier to sharpen, but dulls quicker 2. Stainless Steel: Edge will last long, but hard to sharpen.
How to Sharpen a Knife: 27° angle
Grinding wheel: Whet stone: Removes Metal
Butchers steel Ceramic steel (crock stick) Aligns Teeth
ALWAYS CUT AWAY FROM YOURSELF AND OTHERS!!!!!!!