Field Dressing

[TheFever]

This is my first year archery hunting and I've never before taken a deer or elk. I hunted as a child with my father and uncles. Years later now, I'm taking up this passion of mine to share with my son. If, and hopefully when, I get a deer. What are some keys tips from you pros that I need to know. What are the basic supplies I'll need. How soon do I need to get stuff done? What do I do with the remainer of the animal while I'm hiking the first portion out? Any good books, DVDs, or sources you recommend? I'd appreciate your info.

My excitement for the hunt is kind of driving my wife crazy right now!!

 

[bhunter]

First off good for you. There are some videos out there if you have a pro shop in your area you can talk to them and they can point them to you. Not sure where your hunting at but in Archery season you will want to gut it as soon as possible if its hot.

Then if you can get the deer out whole that is a good thing so that you don't get any more dirt on the meat. If you have to pack it out in quarters I recomend carrying a painters cheap el platic tarp in your pack they are small and light and you can set the meat on there to keep it clean. After you get the deer to camp or home don't be afraid after dressing the meat and getting the hide off to use plenty of water on it to clean the meat and the rib cage. Try to get as much hair off it as possible. If your having it cut it is your responsibilty to give them clean meat they are not going to clean it for you very likly what you give them is what your going to get back and that includes dirt and hair in the meat. Let it dry and keep it cool and get it to your butchers ASAP. It is important in archery season to get the hide off and get the meat cooled and in the shade. I am sure you will get plenty of advice but have fun and good luck to you.




If there is any proof of a man in a hunt it is not whether he killed a deer or elk but how he hunted it.

 

[swbuckmaster]

How old is your son? If you want to get him into hunting you are going to need to be successful or at least see deer. It will also determine how hard you can bowhunt. Young kids have short attention spans.

Unless you have been out hunting with someone else over the years it is going to be rough for a few years especially with a bow. I would hunt and try and tag any animal including a doe or cow.

I can not express how much you need to shoot your bow. I would also suggest going to a local archery shop and finding out where they have a league. Shooting in a league with good shooters will quicken your archery learning curve. The last thing you need is to have a bad experience with your kid by shooting a deer in the guts and can't find it.

I don't know what kind of archery equipment you have but if it is old toss it out. I remember when the equipment would allow you shoot in front of a deer or behind a deer. It is still possible today if you don't check your bubble but it is highly unlikely. Most shots will be either high or low. Today?s equipment will out shoot the shooter.

Do a search on here about the gutless technique. I haven't gutted a deer or elk in several years. It is a lot less messy and you won't accidentally cut the guts and get the juices in the meat. It also makes it easier to get the deer and especially an elk out.

In archery you get what you pay for. Buying cheep with anything might get you started but you will end up buying it twice when you understand what something good is. So I always do a little research and purchase the best first. This also includes sleeping bags and camping accessories.

As for hunting tips the best tip I can give you is avoid the weekends this is when most of the ?week end warriors? come out and play. Your odds will increase tremendously by just hunting Monday through Friday and it doesn't matter where you hunt.

Good luck and have an enjoyable time. Hope your wife is as understanding as mine cause if you do get the fever it will be a lot easier on your marriage. Hunting can be like a drug very addicting.


Archery is a year round commitment!!

 

[Oakbuck]

+1 for gutless.

http://www.huntingnut.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=27

All you need is a good knife, some 1/4 inch nylon cord and lightweight game bags.

Especially during archery season get the hide off and cool the meat asap.

For the quarters or backstraps left behind, put them in the game bags and hang them from a tree. You could even cover them with branches or something to keep the birds off if they will be there for a while or overnight.

Oakbuck

 

[hogliver]

Gutless is the way to go. Look at your local regs, however, as some states have specific rules regarding removing the "edible" parts of game animals. I think there are a couple of threads on here that go into pretty good detail on what must be removed for various states.

By the way, welcome back and good luck to you and your son.

 

[BowHuntWithaRifle]

+2 Oakbuck

Get that hide off asap. And get the esophagus out first. That begins to sour meat right on the spot. Take a large knife and a smaller knife and a collapsibal saw. If you are going to quarter it, I recommed the saw. You will end up hacking away at the bone and ruine your knife. I use a Browning collapisble saw. And a Sog knife. Watch out for flys and such. If at all possible, hoist the remaining quarters into a tree to hang covered. Keeps them off the ground from critters. This may sound funny, but if you are in an area of preditors... Pee around the tree that the meat is hanging. It works. We do that with elk when we have to pack out a long way. It detures preditors. Like marking your teritory. Make sure the sent glands are off as well, they will taint the meat. If it is hot, don't give up on getting it out. The meat will spoil quickly. Get it to a butcher shop to hang as soon as you get home. If you have any more questions, just ask. I don't like to see deer go to waist.


"I shoot at wolves, I don't dance with them."
Stands With A Fist

 

[alpinebowman]

I still have yet to see where I need a saw to quarter and animal out. If you need a saw you aren't doing it right. just cut the joints and take the rib meat if you have to. gutless is certainly the way to go. quick and easy since dragging a gutted deer even a short ways sucks rocks.

alpinebowman

>>>---shots that are true pass right through--->

National guard archery staff shooter

 

[TheFever]

Sorry to not have clarified.

My son is only 9 months old. So he won't be joining the hunt yet. Since my dad can't hunt anymore, and my cousins are scatter, I'm just getting into it on my own, so I can build the legacy for my family to hunt. I'm novice, but feel like a sponge trying to soak it all in.

 

[TheFever]

You guys are great. Thanks for the info.

Yes, my success odds are pretty low, with it being my first time. I've been watching a million videos and reading, and gone up scouting. So I'm trying to increase my odds. I will certainly not be bummed if I don't bag one. I love the outdoors and relish the experience. I will pat myself on the back though, if I can hike away with a deer.

I'll take a look at the gutless thing. If it's easier after the kill, then I'm probably for it.


Thanks again for the info guys!

 

[junior]

You should find a partner to help you as you learn the ropes. Where do you live? I am sure someone here lives close by and will let you tag along, on a few hunts.

 

[TheFever]

I live just south of Salt Lake. I'd love to tag along with somebody to learn. I also do videography as a part time thing sometimes. I usually do wedding videos, so quite a different strain, but I'm handy with the camera, and I'd be happy to capture a hunt.

Does anybody know what the rules are for Utah in maintaining some of the edible parts or retaining proof of sex on the animal???

 

[BowHuntWithaRifle]

Alpine bowman,
So how do you cut off the legs around the knee? We do that in the field so we dont get tripped by Bambi's revenge as we are dragging it out. We also saw off the ribs and stuff.

"I shoot at wolves, I don't dance with them."
Stands With A Fist

 

[leftturnabq]

I just gut them all...after I take pictures of course.

Do not leave behind the best parts behind: the tenderloin and the backstraps!!

It's really pretty straight forward once you understand the anatomy of the animal's internals. The tricky part is removing the sphincter area and bladder without making a mess. I use a folding saw to split the pelvic bone..and maybe to help remove the head easier.

An easy way of opening up the cavity is to skin a U-shaped area along the rib cage.

As mentioned you need to get it cooled ASAP.

If you need to hire a butcher, find one that is williing to process wild game, and take the time to clean it up properly. A good butcher that understands game meat can make all the difference. I firmly believe that one of the biggest things is to age the meat properly in a meat locker. It will be much more tender and therefore much more pleasant to eat.

 

[alpinebowman]

>Alpine bowman,
>So how do you cut off
>the legs around the knee?
>We do that in the
>field so we dont get
>tripped by Bambi's revenge as
>we are dragging it out.
>We also saw off the
>ribs and stuff.
>
>"I shoot at wolves, I don't
>dance with them."
>Stands With A Fist

the knees are easy you just find the tendon to cut as you bend the knee backwards and the joint will pop right open. It takes a little practice but I have done it on thousands of turkeys and alot of big critters including a moose. Now if you want to take the ribs out than a saw is in order but I imagine most just cut the meat between the ribs out.


alpinebowman

>>>---shots that are true pass right through--->

National guard archery staff shooter

 

[junior]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-08 AT 08:29PM (MST)[p]I think you will have no problem teaming up with someone in utah to hunt with. But first, go to the utah section in the main forum. Plenty of guys there to hunt with.
I am to far away to help, I think.
My son has a rifle tag in 2b close to Farmington NM OCT 18-22. I wouldn't mind a bit if you tagged along....

 

[junior]

GUTLESS all the way for me!
I have never timed myself, but think I could pretty much debone a deer in a half hour. But if skinning with short y for a mount and sawing the horns, that tacks on another half hour.

 

[slcbohntr]

welcome back to the family. One important thing to remember beware of the stomach one wrong poke of the blade and you could be loosing your lunch. gutless on the hill is much easier for deer. as far as the laws you must have proof of sex no matter how you dress it.

Good luck and Great hunting