The Ultimate Guide to Hanging Deer: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Hanging deer is an essential part of the hunting process. It allows you to properly care for your kill and preserve the meat. There are many different ways to hang deer, and the best method will depend on your circumstances. In this article, we will discuss the different methods of hanging deer, as well as the pros and cons of each method. We will also provide a step-by-step guide on how to hang deer.

Methods of Hanging Deer

There are two main methods of hanging deer:

• Head down: This is the most common method of hanging deer. The deer is hung upside down from its head. This method allows the blood to drain from the deer's body, which helps to prevent spoilage.
• Head up: This method is less common, but it can be useful if you want to keep the deer's head attached to the body. The deer is hung from its hind legs with its head up. This method allows the blood to drain from the deer's body, but it can also cause the deer's head to become engorged with blood.

Head Down Method

The head down method is the most common method of hanging deer because it is the most effective way to drain the blood from the deer's body. This helps to prevent spoilage and makes the meat more tender. To hang a deer head down, you will need:

• A strong rope or chain
• A sturdy tree or pole
• A gambrel

1. Tie the rope or chain to the deer's antlers or jaw.
2. Hoist the deer up to the tree or pole.
3. Tie the other end of the rope or chain to the gambrel.
4. The gambrel will support the deer's weight and allow the blood to drain from the body.

Head Up Method

The head up method is less common than the head down method, but it can be useful if you want to keep the deer's head attached to the body. This method is also less likely to cause the deer's head to become engorged with blood. To hang a deer head up, you will need:

• A sturdy rope or chain
• A sturdy tree or pole
• A hook

1. Tie the rope or chain to the deer's hind legs.
2. Hoist the deer up to the tree or pole.
3. Tie the other end of the rope or chain to the hook.
4. The hook will support the deer's weight and allow the blood to drain from the body.

Pros and Cons of Different Hanging Methods

Head Down Method

• Pros:
  • Most effective way to drain the blood from the deer's body
  • Helps to prevent spoilage
  • Makes the meat more tender
• Cons:
  • Can be difficult to hang the deer if you do not have a sturdy tree or pole
  • Can be difficult to remove the deer from the tree or pole once it is hung

Head Up Method

• Pros:
  • Keeps the deer's head attached to the body
  • Less likely to cause the deer's head to become engorged with blood
  • Can be easier to hang the deer if you do not have a sturdy tree or pole
  • Can be easier to remove the deer from the tree or pole once it is hung
• Cons:
  • Not as effective as the head down method for draining the blood from the deer's body
  • Can make the meat less tender

Table 1: Comparison of Hanging Methods

How to Hang Deer: Step-by-Step Guide

Hanging deer is a relatively simple process, but it is important to do it correctly to ensure that the meat is properly preserved. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to hang deer:

1. Prepare the deer: The first step is to prepare the deer for hanging. This involves removing the entrails and any other unwanted parts.
2. Choose a hanging method: The next step is to choose a hanging method. The head down method is the most common and effective method, but the head up method can be useful if you want to keep the deer's head attached to the body.
3. Hang the deer: Once you have chosen a hanging method, you need to hang the deer. If you are using the head down method, you will need to tie the rope or chain to the deer's antlers or jaw and hoist the deer up to the tree or pole. If you are using the head up method, you will need to tie the rope or chain to the deer's hind legs and hoist the deer up to the tree or pole.
4. Allow the deer to hang: Once the deer is hung, you need to allow it to hang for at least 24 hours. This will allow the blood to drain from the deer's body and the meat to begin to age.
5. Remove the deer from the tree or pole: Once the deer has hung for at least 24 hours, you can remove it from the tree or pole. To remove the deer, simply untie the rope or chain and lower the deer to the ground.

Stories and What We Learn

Story 1:

A hunter named John went out hunting one day and shot a deer. He hung the deer head down from a tree and let it hang for 24 hours. When he returned to the deer the next day, he was surprised to find that the meat was very tender and delicious. John learned that hanging deer head down is the most effective way to drain the blood from the deer's body and preserve the meat.

Story 2:

A hunter named Mary went out hunting one day and shot a deer. She hung the deer head up from a tree and let it hang for 24 hours. When she returned to the deer the next day, she was disappointed to find that the meat was not as tender as she had hoped. Mary learned that hanging deer head up is not as effective as hanging deer head down for draining the blood from the deer's body and preserving the meat.

Story 3:

A hunter named Tom went out hunting one day and shot a deer. He hung the deer head down from a tree, but he did not let it hang for long enough. When he returned to the deer the next day, he was disappointed to find that the meat was still tough and gamey. Tom learned that it is important to hang deer for at least 24 hours to allow the blood to drain from the deer's body and the meat to begin to age.

What We Learn:

From these stories, we can learn the following:

• Hanging deer head down is the most effective way to drain the blood from the deer's body and preserve the meat.
• Hanging deer head up is not as effective as hanging deer head down for draining the blood from the deer's body and preserving the meat.
• It is important to hang deer for at least 24 hours to allow the blood to drain from the deer's body and the meat to begin to age.

Conclusion

Hanging deer is an essential part of the hunting process. It allows you to properly care for your kill and preserve the meat. There are many different ways to hang deer, and the best method will depend on your circumstances. In this article, we have discussed the different methods of hanging deer, as well as the pros and cons of each method. We have also provided a step-by-step guide on how to hang deer. By following the tips in this article, you can ensure that your deer meat is properly preserved and delicious.