North Dakota State University -- NDSU Agriculture Communication
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo ND, 58105-5655, Tel: 701-231-7881, Fax: 701-231-7044
agcomm@ndsuext.nodak.edu

October 2, 2003

 

Food and Nutrition Specialist Offers Tips for Keeping Wild Game Fresh

The big hunt is over, but the meat could be wasted if not stored properly. According to a North Dakota State University Extension Service food and nutrition specialist it is important to follow handling and preparation recommendations from field to table to help ensure that your meals are safe.

Whether it is big game or birds that you hunt, you will want to enjoy the meat year-round. Freezing meat is the most accepted way to maintain top quality, says Julie Garden-Robinson. "Like domestic meat, wild meat is perishable and care is needed to maintain its safety," she says. To ensure good quality in frozen meat:

  • Freeze meat while it is fresh and in top condition.
  • Divide meat into meal-size quantities.
  • Select proper freezer wrapping materials. To ensure quality, the wrapping material needs to be moisture and vapor resistant. Be sure to use packaging material designed for freezing.
  • Wrap tightly; pressing out as much air as possible.
  • Freeze and store at 0 F or lower.
  • Label the packages with the content and date.
  • Avoid long storage periods.
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    Other methods of storage include curing and smoking, drying, corning, canning and sausage making. However, do not can meat unless you have a pressure canner. "Low-acid foods, such as meat and most mixtures of foods, should never be canned using the water-bath method," Garden-Robinson says. "Pressure and adequate time is necessary to produce safe canned meat."

    For more information on how to store your game contact your county extension office or visit the new "Wild Game Resources" Web site at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/food.htm

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    Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu
    Writer:     Stephanie Renner, (701) 231-8371, srenner@ndsuext.nodak.edu
    Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu