To Skin or not to Skin

[Big-Al]

Since the thread has started on how to hang deer, I've got another for you.

Assuming you won't be butchering immediately, how many groups:

A. skin the deer as soon as is practicle?

B. skin it a day or two after the kill?

C. will leave hide on until ready to butcher?

D. leave hide on or skin depending on how cold it is?

And why do you skin when you do?

[Stratosman]

I always leave the hide on, once it cools down during the nighttime, it acts as insulation for the daytime hours when the temps increase a bit, along with hanging in the shade, this will allow you to let it hang longer. This and it gives the meat protection from critters.

[BDR]

Im with stratosman. Leave hide on, it also keeps from drying. If its real warm we have acces to a freezer. Mild temps we will lay in garage on cool slab. Cool hang em high.

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

Definitely depends on the temp. If its cool enough to hang over night, i'll leave the hide on, but if freezing is a possiblity, off she comes. No fun trying to skin a frozen deer