Hunters, do you soak your venison in ice water to help extract the remaining blood?

Bourgeois, a meat market in Thibodeaux posted an article encouraging hunters to NOT soak their kill in ice water, saying that it removes the flavor of the deer.

While reading the comments, it didn't surprise me that when a majority of the respondents echoed this sentiment: "we've been doing it this way for years and no one has ever complained".

Bourgeois Meat Market had this to say about soaking:

This is one of the worst things to do to any animal carcass after its slaughter. - Bourgeois Meat Market, Facebook

When my brother gives me fresh venison (I am not a hunter), he advises me to let it sit in an ice bath for 3 - 4 days, draining the water and replacing with ice each day. When I cook the venison, it usually comes out tasting good, or, at least, what I think is good.

I don't ever remember trying "fresh" venison, as all of the deer meat I have eaten had received this treatment. Maybe it's time to give it a try again? Is the "gamey" flavor that bad?

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