I have never gone with the grain of the hair while gutting deer, good way to get alot of hair on the meat. sstart from the bottom and work your way up to the brisket.
ORIGINAL: sandilands
I start at the brisket. Cut down until you've gone thru the hide, put 2 fingers in and spread them out like a peace symbol. Put the blade of the knife b/w the fork made by your fingers and start going down towards the nutz or titties. Once you get to the pelvis split the hide until about 1.5" away from the anus. Cut around the anus and use a string or zap strap to tie bum hole. Once this is done you have a choice, you can either split the pelvic bone or leave it. It really doesn't matter. But if your having problems with anything I would recommend that you split....... its slightly easier to get everything out. VOILA
Here's a Q for you now. What kind of knife are you using? I hope to hell it ain't no RAMBO knife. Small is all u need. I use a schrade sharpfinger or a buck 110 folder at most....... about 3" blades. Anything more and the blade just gets in the way and you lose control. I could gut and skin a deer with a 1.5" razor blade