I cut them up to the chin...always have. I do this for 2 reasons.

1. I cut that far up so that I can get the ENTIRE windpipe out immediately...also the esophagus because these begin to break down almost instantly. Once I cut them off at the top, I just pull on them and the entire gutpile comes out in one fell swoop. You still have to cut some connective tissue and the diaphram, but several people have watched me gut a deer and stated that they've never seen one done so quickly or cleanly. Of all things to be good at...LOL

2. It does get the heat out of the body faster if you cut them all the way up.

If I have to drag a deer forever, I will not do this as it invites dirt into the body cavity.