I try to keep water out of the cavity of a carcass - assuming the damp environment provides a breeding ground for bacteria. Yet

[MLH]

I try to keep water out of the cavity of a carcass - assuming the damp environment provides a breeding ground for bacteria. Yet, I read that several of you routinely wash the cavity out with water while it hangs. Do you just let it set or dry it out? Any problems?

[lovetohunt]

I use a bucket of water to splash up in the cavity of the carcass. And I have not had any problems just letting it set and dry.

[rrmont]

I use a water hose and have never had any problems.

[bonnier-admin_2]

I use a bucket of water to splash up in the cavity of the carcass. And I have not had any problems just letting it set and dry.

[Jim in Mo]

The problem with using water to clean out the cavity of an animal is if you are going to let it hang in freezing weather. If so, the water will freeze over the carcass and it will not properly cure.

[CPT BRAD]

That's true but I wash all the blood and guts out let it hang and the water will drain out.

[Armchair Mike]

It's too hot to hang deer where I live, so we normally quarter them and put them straight into coolers after a rinse with the hose. This method really freaked me out when I moved down here from a cooler climate, but it gives good results. If you add some salt or garlic salt to the water and keep adding ice as it melts, it will pull most of the blood out of the meat. The end result is similar to veal.

[steve182]

i often wash out the cavity, then pat it dry with a towel. One large buck i killed had to be drug downstream in a steep drainage creek. It was wet for hours. no problems, though i've heard it is a no-no

[Walt Smith]

The only thing I rinse off with water are the inside tenders after they're removed. Everything else ( the transparent casing that surrounds the muscles) gets trimmed off anyhow. Maybe I field dress a little differently than most but I hardly get any blood in the cavity.

[hjohn429]

We usually just hang it up and rise it out with water. We just let it drip-dry and that works fine.

[shane]

Walt - Can I come try your anti-gravity chamber?

[wallofsam]

I just spray down the inside with a hose, and hang it from a gambrel. It's not so much for me about cleaning it, as it is cooling the meat down to stop any bacterial growth. Then I hang it in the garage and shut the door to keep it cool. I live in MI so usually the temp. isn't a problem.

[Beekeeper]

Wash and wipe out the cavity then pat dry and hand in cooler. Never had a problem.

[Beekeeper]

Should have been hang.

[rjbedrock]

I wash out the cavity with a couple buckets of water and let it hang...never have had any problems.