Preparing the meat?

[LNK]

How do you guys prepare your venison before freezing ? Heard soaking it in ice for a few days before freezing ..Hanging in cooler was another...Give me your thoughts.

 

[Last Minute]

I always quarter my deer up and layer in a cooler with ice. I leave the drain open and prop the cooler up with a brick so when the ice melts it drains out. I usually leave them in there up to a week before I process and freeze.
Also I make sure to keep the cooler topped off with ice and I put a faucet screen in the drain to keep the flys from getting in there.

 

[NCHillbilly]

What he said.^^^Keep it dry.

 

[GottaGetOutdoors]

What Last Minute said. Been doing it this way over 30 years and it works well.

 

[kmckinnie]

I will add the stacking method
I usually place the front shoulders. They tend to be shot. Then the hams & neck on top of that the backstraps and tenderloins. That way we don’t have to dig for they. They tend to get fried or grilled quick. ?

 

[Jimmypop]

Bone everything, soak in salty ice water 24 hrs. in a large ice chest. Drain, place meat on a rack in ice chest to let it drain. Keep dry as possible. Pour out drainage as needed. Use containerized ice. Leave 5 to 7 days, depending on each deer. Process. Just us, but we put everything into steaks and grindings.

 

[elfiii]

What he said.^^^Keep it dry.

Yep. I usually bone mine out at camp. Keeping it dry is key so the meat has a chance to drain and age especially if it's a buck.