You pose a very legitimate question, especially if you are not a hunter (as
of yet). Actually there are several reasons for hanging deer and other large
game after they are harvested, and I will try to cover all that I am aware of.
1) First and foremost would be to protect the carcass from predators, rodents,
and domestic pets. Every year we seem to encounter a deer brought to us that
had some animal feasting on the hind quarters before it was processed, by hanging
the carcass you can keep it out of the reach of hungry intruders.
2) Drainage
of excess blood and juices and the ability to easily rinse it out. A carcass
that is hung up is much easier to rinse and clean of any debris that it might
have picked up on the way out of the woods.
3) Stretching out of the legs, neck,
and torso before rigormortis sets in. If an animal is left to harden
in an unnatural shape after harvesting, it can be extremely difficult if not almost
impossible to skin. Hanging of the carcass allows it to set-up in a more
natural shape.
4) Skinning: Removing the hide is easily accomplished if
the carcass is hanging up. Trying to skin out the carcass on the ground is extremely
time consuming and difficult, as any Moose hunter will tell you.
5) Processing:
this is much easier done as the carcass is hanging. The skeletal structure of
the hanging carcass makes the boning faster and easier. [Note: if you look at
the "Processing Page" of this website you will see that I personally bone the
deer while it is hanging.]
6) Cooling and Aging: while many hunters attempt
to do this in a tree, it is best accomplished in a commercial cooler at 30 -
35 degrees. Hanging the deer allows for complete air circulation around the
carcass.
7) Bragging Rights: This is the one reason for hanging
that I do not agree with ! Unfortunately there are a share of hunters that feel the need to
show off what they have gotten, and with little respect for the animal will
leave them hang far longer than they should! In my opinion hanging a deer to
show it off only shows off the ignorance of that hunter. If you need to show
it off, have it mounted or take a picture! But show some respect for the magnificent
animal you have taken!
Thanks for visting our site. -- Dave & Ruth
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