the only time i gut my deer is if i need coyote bait. otherwise i do not. it does not hurt the meat. it does not make it taste any different and to me its not worth it. the tender loin isnt enough to fill a man up and ribs aint worth messing with eather. backstrap hams and shoulders do me just fine. we aint got the 200lb deer yall have up north and out west. no neck roast eather.