How Long for Meat to Spoil?

[ChasinTail]

For future reference, so I no how aggressive I need to track a deer after an evening hunt, I am wondering if a deer will spoil if I let him sit overnight in warm temps (65-75 degrees). I always feel the pressure here in the South to try and track sooner than later to avoid spoiling, but then will probably do more harm by chasing the deer if he has not died. I need help making a plan of action for these situations. One positive with Southern deer is they aren’t as big as you Northern guy’s deer which should slow spoiling a bit.

[Nick]

I shot my buck Thursday evening and wasn't able to recover him until about 4pm Friday. The temperature was mid-70's. I cut the inner tenders out and fried them up that night and there was nothing wrong with them......just as delicious as the last ones I ate and the beer I drank along with them

[tclubbs2]

My opinion is to look for it now. I think the meat will be bad if you wait til morning. Plus you might lose it to the yotes.

[fly]

My first attemp at posting an old thread:

Might find this thread helpful.

http://www.realtree.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69313

Last season I shot a deer at dusk and recovered it about 12 hours later. The temperature was below 30 degrees the entire 12 hours. The shot was back a little and I know I hit some of the intestines. The deer was 3-4 years old, and the meat was fine.