Time For Hunters To Tend To Harvested Meat

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With Montana’s big game hunting season nearly half over, many hunters have big game hanging from a garage rafter or aging elsewhere.

Now is the time for those carcasses to be transformed into tidy, white packages, labeled and stowed in the freezer.

Montana state law requires hunters to process their animals, whether birds or big game, into a state fit for human consumption. Whether you have the carcass commercially processed or do it yourself, donate the meat or feed your family with it, as the hunter you are responsible for ensuring harvested game becomes suitable table fare.

For big-game species such as elk, deer, antelope or bear, the four quarters of the animal above the hock, plus the loins and backstrap, are considered fit for human consumption. For upland birds and waterfowl larger than a partridge or a teal, the breasts and thighs must be retained. And for wild turkeys and swans, the breast, thighs and wings must be retained.

"This is the time of year to be taking care that big game doesn’t go to waste," said Ron Aasheim, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Communications Division administrator. "While the carcass is hanging to age it may become frozen and difficult to deal with if the hunter isn’t careful. Or, it may hang too long."

Hunters hang game meat to age it at temperatures of about 34 ° to 37° F for seven to 14 days. Aging allows the enzymes in the meat to break down some of the complex proteins in the carcass. Aging meat often makes it more tender and flavorful. However, a big game carcass should not be aged if it was shot in warm weather and then rapidly chilled, or if the animal is under one year of age.

Aging is not recommended for carcasses with little or no fat covering because they may dry out during aging, and are more susceptible to deterioration through microbial growth. If the meat will be ground into sausage, aging is also unnecessary.

Aasheim said when a carcass hangs too long and spoils it is considered wasted, and wasting big game is a violation of Montana law.

It is every hunter’s responsibility to ensure that a successful hunt doesn’t end with the neglect of the meat, Aasheim said.