Even though hunting is often called trophy-oriented by its opponents, the main goal of hunters is usually to gain game. Hunting is not only a means of regulating the game population and managing the domestic game, but also a means of obtaining high-quality, organic food.

Very important for the process of obtaining game meat is the maturing process of the game in the refrigeration. But what do you have to pay attention to when refrigerating venison?

How to cool venison?

You can find a lot of different information about this. However, contrary to what the legislator recommends, the ideal storage temperatures for feathered game and furred game are +3 °C for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 days. The following also applies: stronger pieces should hang cooled longer than weaker ones.

It is generally recommended that game be cooled in a blanket or rind, as this also preserves the game if the game body is not heavily contaminated beforehand.

Occasionally, however, there are also hunters who let their pieces hang out already cut from the blanket/skin. In this case, it must be ensured that the carcass hangs freely and, above all, is protected from external contamination.

Which cooling systems are suitable for game?

Not every private hunting operation, not every hunting ground community is in the comfortable position in which forestry operations etc. usually find themselves and is in possession of a fully equipped cold store / cold chamber.

But here, too, the venison is ultimately to be utilized and a cooling facility is needed accordingly. Here there are several possibilities to acquire such a one.

1. DIY cooling chamber:
   Those who are not completely unskilled in their craft can build a DIY refrigerator with the help of clever instructions or their own good idea from materials that can be purchased at the hardware store. There are many plans and experience reports of other hunters online. For example, on Geartester.de.
   
   DIY cooling chambers usually have the advantage of being inexpensive compared to professional solutions. Here, too, however, you need a cooling unit, about whose operation, consumption, installation, etc. you should always ask in advance exactly.
   
   DIY cooling chambers usually have a smaller capacity and are designed to cool the game for the private man / woman. However, they offer the advantage that they can be individually designed to suit your own needs.
   
2. Professional solution:
   
   Game refrigerator
   Since also more and more private hunting enterprises, district and hunting communities have need of professional cooling possibilities, a market for professional cold storage solutions for the private household developed in the past decades. The pioneer in this field is the Landig company, which in addition to professional refrigeration units (also for commercial use) also offers game refrigerators, as they are increasingly used in hunters' households.
   
   The cheaper models with a smaller capacity and a not quite as powerful cooling unit start at a little over 1,000€.
   The more professional models can cost up to 10,000€.
   
   The advantage of such a solution for the hunter is obvious: the refrigerators are supplied complete and usually only need to be connected to the power after installation. There is (apart from the regular cleaning with frequent use) no further work for the hunter. It is therefore a practical all-in-one solution.
   
   Especially
   for larger hunting communities, which have to supply a correspondingly larger distance, a game refrigerator as described above often does not offer enough capacity and also for the cutting of several pieces or a larger distance it requires an appropriate infrastructure. Professional solutions from various suppliers are now available for this purpose as well.
   
   We are talking about so-called cutting rooms (including refrigeration) or refrigerated containers, which are also offered as a ready-made complete solution. One well-known manufacturer of such a complete solution is Feldmeier. The design and quality of their cutting rooms with integrated cooling strongly resemble the products of the Landig company, but there
   
   are a number of other suppliers of game cooling and cutting facilities in addition to these.