Now that the 2021 hunting season is winding down, it is time to consider the best way to store our harvest for the coming months and year. The proper packaging and storage of game is a necessary step to preserve the nutritional contents of the game and lengthen the time it can remain in the freezer.
Tips: Packing and Freezing Game –
- Rotate the remaining meat in the freezer. If you have game left over from last year, bring it to the front (or top) of your freezer and consume it before consuming the new meat.
- Air is your enemy. Just as heat, dirt, and moisture spoil game in the field, air is the enemy of meat in the freezer. If using paper, double wrap the meat in plastic wrap first, then use paper. Wrap the packaging tightly around the meat to remove the air. If using vacuum sealed packaging, ensure that all air is completely removed, and the bag is sealed properly.
- Flatten packages of ground meat. Storing ground meat in flat packages (about an inch thick) makes for easier stacking and organization in the freezer. An added benefit is that the flat packages freeze and defrost faster. The faster meat freezes, the less time there is for ice crystals to form on the meat. If vacuum sealing the ground meat, be sure to work the meat into the corners of the packages to prevent air from being in the bag.
- Properly label packages. Clearly mark your packaging with the date, species, cut of meat, and weight. This makes finding and rotating the meat in your freezer much easier. A permanent marker is the best option as it will not fade over time.
- Packing meat with bones — Make sure there are no splintered bones that can poke through the packaging. If splintered bones are present, reinforce the packaging using extra paper, or a second vacuum sealing bag. Splintered bones can cause tiny holes that will expose your meat to air.
- Vacuum sealing wet meats — Wet meats, such as fresh fish or marinated cuts of meat, can affect the seal of the bag. Tightly wrap the meat in plastic wrap prior to vacuum sealing it. This prevents the vacuum sealer from pulling the moisture out of the meat and guarantees a good seal on the bag.
- Check your freezer temperature frequently. If your freezer is not full, store full jugs of water in the freezer to ensure the freezer runs efficiently. In the event of a power outage, the frozen jugs of water will also keep the freezer temperature from rising quickly.
- Freeze meat quickly. Meat should be frozen as quickly as possible to prevent or slow down the growth of bacteria. If space allows, spread out the newly-packaged meats to enhance airflow and quicker freezing. Ideally, meats should be frozen at 0 degrees.
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