Field dressing your deer.
- Thread starter nv_hunter
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jeremydhinds
Active Member
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First I wouldn't follow what the Dr. did. You want to get the gut cavity open so the meat can start to cool. I always start just in front of the genitals and split the hide all the way up thru the rib cage. Once you get the deer opened up you can pull most of the stuff out fairly easily. You'll have to reach up in and cut the wind pipe as far as you can, then start to pull and trim the organ lining away from the meat. Once you get to the the genitals I cut the butt hole out or use one of those fancy tools you can buy to make this as easy as it can be so you don't rupture any thing that will spoil the meat. After you get the hole reamed out just pull it back thru the hip joint and wha-la your done. I also try to remove as much blood from inside the cavity as possible and get that meat to a cooler fast.....just one of many ways to feild dress a deer. Hope this helps
D
D13er
Guest
I just saw the horns off and leave the rest.
JB
JB
ICMDEER
Very Active Member
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The answer is.............it depends. If I'm close to a road and it's cool, I just open the deer up from the testes to the brisket and I even leave the bladder in until I get the deer drug to the truck. I like to open up the hind quarters and cut the pelvis with a saw to remove the bladder. It's cleaner and helps the deer cool out. Can't tell you how many bladders I've seen borken by the folks that "ream out" the a**hole. That urine can really taint the meat, so I avoid that.
If I'm boning the deer out, there are times when I don't even gut the deer. Just skin on the ground, then remove the tenderloins and bone the buck out. You can be done quicker and cleaner.
There are lots of ways to do it, and all will work. Get the meat cool and keep it clean - those are the keys.
Be sure to leave evidence of sex on the carcass if it's a buck only area. If you are cutting the horns off, be sure to leave a testicle attached to the carcass. Lots of folks get citations for that every year.
Good hunting.
If I'm boning the deer out, there are times when I don't even gut the deer. Just skin on the ground, then remove the tenderloins and bone the buck out. You can be done quicker and cleaner.
There are lots of ways to do it, and all will work. Get the meat cool and keep it clean - those are the keys.
Be sure to leave evidence of sex on the carcass if it's a buck only area. If you are cutting the horns off, be sure to leave a testicle attached to the carcass. Lots of folks get citations for that every year.
Good hunting.
D
DallanC
Guest
My Field dressing guide:
http://www.huntingnut.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4
My Gutless dressing guide:
http://www.huntingnut.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=27
Everyone has their own opinions though, there is no truely right or wrong way IMO, just some are easier than others.
-DallanC
http://www.huntingnut.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4
My Gutless dressing guide:
http://www.huntingnut.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=27
Everyone has their own opinions though, there is no truely right or wrong way IMO, just some are easier than others.
-DallanC
T
TFinalshot
Guest
Gutless. . . I think there may be some possible waste issues with thie method, so I think you should be careful and check the regs in the state you plan to hunt. . . .
C
COjack
Guest
One thing I avoid at all cost is getting hair on the meat
lone_hunter
Active Member
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I realize there is some dispute on regulations and waste, but I beilieve there is no question it is best to use the gutless method. Quarter out first, and then debone after at least a day or so. The meat cools very quickly using the gutless, it is easier to get back to camp/truck and the taste is much better. I even have my wife and kids eating deer meat after switching to the gutless method and butchering my own. I problably can't convince wildlide officials, but I also beleive there is much less waste.
I think you can do the gutless nearly as quick as gutting the deer. It is really surprisingly easy. I carry a couple of old pillow cases to put the quarters and meat into. I have also used a "pocket poncho" to place under the deer to keep dust and dirt away if needed. It all hauls out nicely in your pack.
I think you can do the gutless nearly as quick as gutting the deer. It is really surprisingly easy. I carry a couple of old pillow cases to put the quarters and meat into. I have also used a "pocket poncho" to place under the deer to keep dust and dirt away if needed. It all hauls out nicely in your pack.
cabinfever
Very Active Member
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No question:Gutless methods. Unless your close to the vehicle and than I do a quick gut. Open him up to the brisket and get the entrails out and than get the wind pipe, anus, and bladder out back at camp. I think one reason the gutless method makes the meat taste better is you are not dragging the carcass on the ground for a long distance.
Not wanting to hijack this thread, but does anyone know if CO requires you to remove the neck and rib meat. It seems like most guys that use the gutless method remove the tenderloins and the front and hind quarters only.
Mike
Not wanting to hijack this thread, but does anyone know if CO requires you to remove the neck and rib meat. It seems like most guys that use the gutless method remove the tenderloins and the front and hind quarters only.
Mike
M
MortgageMan
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Jun-07-07 AT 06:00PM (MST)[p]TF-
What possible waste issues?? Do you eat the rib meat??
What possible waste issues?? Do you eat the rib meat??
Hah! Last year I took a small blacktail (meat buck!)on the california coast. A friend of mine was about a mile away and came over to lend a hand. We were about 6 miles in on a overnight backpack trip and he thought the ONLY way to get that buck out of that canyon was to drag it....I told him hey!!! We aint hunting whitetails in Virginia....I'm gonna show you how to bone him out without gutting and I'll carry him out by myself. And he says, What about all that rib and neck meat!I told him I would buy him 10lbs of ground beef when we get home.... And thats generous. I dont see any waste, On my larger mule deer I do try to get some neck and rib meat but on the smaller deer I just dont see the cause.
txhunter58
Long Time Member
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Alaska has some of the toughest game meat waste laws, and they have a dept of game video describing the gutless method.
With deer, it can go either way, but with an animal as large as an elk, I haven't gutted one in years.
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
With deer, it can go either way, but with an animal as large as an elk, I haven't gutted one in years.
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
I
in2chukar
Guest
>I just saw the horns off
>and leave the rest.
>
>JB
That is one of the funniest things I have heard in a while. My kids asked "Why are you laughing so hard Dad?"
>and leave the rest.
>
>JB
That is one of the funniest things I have heard in a while. My kids asked "Why are you laughing so hard Dad?"
C
COjack
Guest
No there is always some but hair really over powers the taste of the meat if you don't get it all, so i do what i can.
Roy
Moderator
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You are supposed to take the deer's entrails out? That is the first I've ever heard of that! We just take them back to camp, saw off the head, skin it and put it on a big spit over our roaring fire. All that stuff from the innards tastes really good! Why in the world would you take it out and leave it to rot out in the field? ARE YOU PEOPLE INSANE? That is probably the biggest reason I hunt - for the guts.
UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)
UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)
J
jpine
Guest
I generally cut a hole between the tendon and meat of the front quarter of each leg. Cut a 6 inch hole in the ass, grab the holes in the front quarter and spin the deer around at a high speed. The guts will come right out.
