How long can you hang a deer in 30 degree weather?
If you are below 40 degrees you are fine IMHO for as long as you might want. Had a buddy hang one for several weeks at about 32 degrees and it was just fine.
For venison, optimum conditions are above freezing but below 42 degrees. Then, duration depends largely on personal preference, but 5-7 days is not too long.
An optimal temperature to hang deer meat at should be temperature above freezing but below 40 degrees F. Many people let the deer hang in their garage, but this far from the proper conditions because of contaminants, pests and temperature fluctuations that come with an uncontrolled environment such as this.
If you're thinking about hanging your deer or elk meat in order to age it, the first and most important consideration should be the average temperature. The ideal meat hanging temperature range that should be maintained should fall somewhere between 33 and 40 degrees.
Above 40℉, bacterial growth can happen too fast, which can lead to meat spoilage. Temperatures warmer than 40℉ are possible but far from ideal. As a general rule, you shouldn't hang deer at temperatures over 50℉ at, while hanging at 40–50℉ should be limited to a few hours, overnight at most.
For one, their bodies store extra fat to provide insulation and help them through the cold months ahead. In addition, they grow an extremely dense undercoat with hollow “guard hairs” that provide exceptional insultation. Thanks to these adaptions, deer can survive in temperatures up to 30 degrees below zero.
If the air temperature is 50 degrees, we have three to six hours to recover a deer after it dies. If the temperature is higher, or the animal has elevated its temperature by running hard, then the safe time available for recovery is shorter.
- Large temperature swings will often boost deer activity, especially if the temperature begins rapidly dropping. ( ...
- Freezing rain and sleet in the woods. (
On really cold days, deer may not make it back to their beds until just before or right at daylight.
Make sure to skin the hock before you hang the deer if you are going to do so yourself. It is very easy to accidentally cut the tendon when making the first cuts around the hock. Doing so would cause the deer to fall down.
How long can you let a deer sit before gutting?
While opinions vary, it's generally accepted that a heart shot deer can be recovered right away, double lung shot deer can be tracked within 30 to 90 minutes, a single lung or liver hit deer should likely be given closer to 4 to 6 hours, and a gut hit deer should be given 8 to 12 or more hours.
For most hunters, you should be able to safely allow your deer to hang for roughly 24 hours or so to allow for the rigor mortis process to take place. Once this time has passed you can then go ahead with your actions of processing and butchering of the deer meat to prepare it for the freezing, and long-term storage.

How do deer stay warm in the winter? One of the ways deer stay warm in the winter is by growing a thicker coat of fur. The fur on a deer's coat helps to insulate them from the cold weather and keeps their body heat from escaping. Deer also have a layer of fat under their skin that helps to keep them warm.
A temperature in the middle 40's is good. For most hunters, you should be able to safely allow your deer to hang for roughly 24 hours or so to allow for the rigor mortis process to take place.
References
- https://www.themeateater.com/cook/butchering-and-processing/ask-meateater-is-hanging-meat-worth-it
- https://www.realtree.com/brow-tines-and-backstrap/7-hot-tactics-for-cold-weather-deer-hunting
- https://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/content/articles/how-venison-spoils
- https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/deer/venison-care-how-long-to-hang-your-deer
- https://www.uscooler.com/blog/aging-best-deer-meat/
- https://lloydcenter.org/how-deer-stay-warm-in-the-winter/
- https://www.themeateater.com/wired-to-hunt/whitetail-hunting/how-long-should-you-wait-to-blood-trail-a-deer
- https://hunterswholesale.net/blogs/news/how-long-to-hang-a-deer-before-butchering
- https://targetcrazy.com/temperature-to-hang-deer
- https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/how-long-to-let-deer-hang-in-cold-temps/
- https://bobbex.com/deer-in-winter-how-they-survive/
- https://okcfox.com/weather/fox-25-weather-wise/deer-hunters-the-weather-you-need-to-bag-that-big-buck-this-year
- https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/deer/safe-venison-care-from-the-field-to-the-table