after the kill?

[pigguy]

Is it safe to quarter a hog and put in the refrigerator,to process later? we do this all the time with deer,but want to process our own hog this year,and not spoil the meat.thanks for yalls help.

[emsemt911]

I leave all my animals i an ice chest filled with ice and the plug removed for 3-5 days.
no problems with spoilage.  The key is checking the ice and keeping the meat covered.
This allows the meat to "drain" the blood

[Oldshooter]

I've been told you can bone it and freeze it to process later! Very different than I was told years ago. used to you had to cook it if it defrosted. But for making sausage i was told that it made no difference. go figger!

[markc]

I leave all my animals i an ice chest filled with ice and the plug removed for 3-5 days.
no problems with spoilage.  The key is checking the ice and keeping the meat covered.
This allows the meat to "drain" the blood

That is exactly what we have been doing for years.  By the time the melted ice runs clear, it is ready for the smoke house or other processing. 

[Land_Owner]

Absolutely!  Nothing different than if it was hanging in the Processor's Cooler.

I cut mine [2-shoulders, 2- ribs w/split backbone intact, 2-hams, 1-neck] and put it directly into the freezer because I know I am going to be either giving it away frozen or thawing and cooking it later for myself.

[jmayton]

I usually walk over to the hog, look at it, and say, "Yep, it's dead."  Then go get a cold drink.  If I want to actually eat it, I like the ice method.  I will often just fill an ice chest with water and throw the quarters in.  Then once I get home, I'll drain it and fill with ice and let that sit at least overnight, but sometimes up to three days continuing to drain the water off and refill with ice.  It really does take a lot of the gamey-ness out of it and then it cooks up really well. 

Someone suggested doing the same thing with milk, but I reminded them how much milk costs.

[chefjeff]

I shot two boars near SC line three years ago. About 225# each. Was told they would be to strong to eat.Knocked the loins out of them anyway. Smelled OK. When I hit the grill with one it STANK BAD!!! Dogs ate it. I think only sows for me.

[Swampman]

Me too....the last boar we ate would run you out of the house but we ate it all.

[jmayton]

I've eaten some boars that were pretty good and some that the buzzards wouldn't even eat.  I do know that if it doesn't die instantly, I won't eat it no matter what size or gender.  Something about that adrenaline that makes the meat rank.  And again, I think the soaking helps a lot.

[hawkenman]

If the hog has not been run by dogs or a bad shot, I cut out the balls and the musk glands on either side of his privates as soon as I can. Then gut him in the field to get out as much blood as I can. I am fortunate to have access to a walk in cooler set at 38 degress and for a boar hog I leave him there about 5 days. This takes alot of the tang out of the meat. If you do not have a cooler put the meat in a cooler with enough ice to cover and then add water and a half bottle of vinegar. Drain off the bloody water, add more ice and repeat the process for two more days. There is a product called "Boar No More" that you can marinate overnight that does pretty good. I always go for a neck shot to drop him right there. Hawkenman

[squirrellluck]

I just don't shoot boars over 100 lbs. Will shoot sows but have passed on some pretty big boars. I eat what I shoot so I try not to shoot it if I know its gonna stink

[jmayton]

I just don't shoot boars over 100 lbs. Will shoot sows but have passed on some pretty big boars. I eat what I shoot so I try not to shoot it if I know its gonna stink

I'd weigh 800lbs if I ate what I shot. 

[squirrellluck]

I understand. Our hog population is way down since the clubs around us began shooting every one they saw. They are destructive but I enjoy getting to shoot one every now and then. So I hope they don't kill them all. We have had feral hogs as long as I can remember so I doubt they will

[jmayton]

I think they'd be impossible to eradicate with rifles.  They're too prolific and adaptable.  But that doesn't mean I aint gonna try!

[squirrellluck]

I don't think they did it all with guns. I believe 1 club had guys come in with traps as well. But no, lucky for me they haven't got 'em all

[Oldshooter]

OK Here's a wee bit of opinion. you aint gonna kill em all with rifles, not from the ground anyway! And Traps, they are smarter than that! the footballs may get caught and that is good to keep the numbers down, but it aint gonna take em all out for sure.

Now, they may leave  for reason, drought, pressure, or food but they will be baaaaack!!

[Swampman]

I wish we had more of them.  I'd quit deer hunting.

[jmayton]

I wish we had more of them.  I'd quit deer hunting.

Leave the swamp and come to the hill country. . . or better yet, south Texas. . . and you'll change your mind.