SHOULD I WASH MY DEER?

A question that is often asked about deer processing is whether carcasses should be washed following field dressing. My answer to that is, yes, as long as it is understood why and how the washing is done.

Let’s start with an intact animal and consider what happens during and after harvest and field dressing. Initially, muscles and organs of a healthy animal are essentially sterile, but they become easily contaminated with stomach and intestinal contents, hair, dirt, leaves and a variety of other things as a result of shot