Got my first deer in over ten years yesterday afternoon. It is a big doe, and I decided to process this one myself to learn about it. I did a lot of reading and figure I did a pretty good job. The only thing I did not save was the front shoulder where the entrance wound is and the meat on the neck closest to the head. I had washed the body cavity out with water before hanging up, and I didn't like the look or smell of the meat down there near the head.
I hung the deer up over night and began processing this morning. I could not have done this in a better time..it got down to about 37 last night and I'm glad it was a colder night.
Anyway..it took me about two hours today to get the deer cleaned up completely. I noticed a few flies on some of the meat, and I'm just nervous about it. Will everything be ok? I did not noticed the flies until around lunch when the temp got warmer.
The meat was only outside sitting after being cut for maybe an hour while I finished the deer. It went to an iced cooler and the refrigerator after that.
I just don't want to mess this up. Never done my own processing before and I'm excited to have so much meat. I'm fixing to take it out and wash all the hair off and trim the fat. I've heard it is good to let it sit in the fridge for a week or so before freezing to let it age. Is washing the meat off with water to get the hair and any other contaminants ok? And also leaving it in covered containers in the refrigerator to age?
Thanks and Happy new year
