Cutting up deer in hot weather?

[Chasman]

What are your tried and tested tips on cleaning a deer in hot weather. I don't have access to a cooler. I harvested a doe 2 years ago in very warm weather and cutting it up was not what I was used to. I quartered the deer and put it in a fridge, but meat was still very soft when I cut it up. What steps of preperation can I take before opening weekend? Would large coolers on ice firm up meat more?

[Dewey]

When it is very warm out I quarter my deer and put it into a very large cooler with gallon ice jugs for about a day or so.
This will firm up the meat enough to make it easier to cut up.
The most important thing is to make sure it is on a wire rack or something to keep the meat off the bottom of the cooler so it is not lying in any fluids that drain. I also put a thermometer in the cooler and try to keep the temp under 40 degrees if possible and add more ice packs or jugs if needed.

[dirt nap giver]

I have taken 5 sheets of 2"x4'x8' foam and made a box then cut out for an air conditioner, then I would cut first thing in the morning. I have also tried Dewey's suggestion with success as well. I now have access to a walk in cooler.

[dan]

I used to put the meat in a freezer over night and then cut it up with a partial freeze firming it up. Now I just take it to the butcher shop.

[Dor]

I use to cut them up, but I figure now that this is the perfect time to donate to the Hunters feeding Hungry programs. Let the professionals (the donation locker)get the animal handled correctly and some less fortunate family gets the food too. A win win. If we every had our liberal tag allotments reduced I would probably just wait till late season to take my meat does.

[lungbuster]

I cut my animals in warm weather, don't seem to have too difficult of a time with warm meat, you just need a good sharp knife and strong cutting board.

[magicman54494]

If you put a lot of warm meat in the freezer you should rotate it often until it cools/freezes otherwise the center packages will take a long time to cool and could spoil. I like to stack it loosely and stagger it so the cold can get to it better.

[Brandon]

field dress ASAP, the have a cooler in your truck with 1 bag o ice, put it in cavity and drive to butcher shop... or my buddies cooler, but a lot of people use it so your deer cant stay more than a day or 2... unless its a buck

[Sam Ubl]

Last year i took a giant plastic drum and cut it in half, filled it half with ice, laid a tarp over it, laid the deer with cavity packed with ice in it, then wrapped it over with the remaining tarp and packed as much ice as I could around and anywhere it would sit. All together, I used 6 20lb bags of ice, or a little over $20 worth... The next day after work I came home to a VERY cold deer and much of the ice was still cubed... This was the 3rd day of the season with temps similar to the current here in SE Wisconsin.

Re-reading what I honestly did last year, I think this year I'll take it to the butcher like Dan, lol.

[tresleggos]

i butcher all my deer and early season i do them right away if im on a road trip i quarter them and i have two big coolers i throw um in..