Expert: Keith Patton - 11/27/2008

Question
How long will an elk roast last in the frig? Its been 10 days.
Frig is 38 degrees

Answer
Dave:

Not a problem.  At that temp you should be able to "age" the meat for up to three weeks.  Cool temps retard bacterial growth but don't stop it.  What might become objectionable is the smell of the myoglobin, the bloody liquid that leaks out, just rince the meat off and cook it.  It should be nice and tender.  Enzymes and bacteria will work to tenderize the meat.  

A tribe of indians used to highly prize rotted buffalo carcasses they would pull form the Missouri and Mississippi rivers that had drowned while crossing.  One man's rot is another man's perfectly aged meat.

Keith