I usually field dress them where they lay. I have shot deer within feet of gutpiles and within 1 hour of shooting the first one. I don' t think it makes any difference.
Not trying to start anything here but I always bury the guts etc... In my opinion, it is more ethical. -- CDH
CDH, I hunt in Northwestern Wisconsin at the end of November !! Usually at that time of year, the ground is frozen solid !! There are very few seasons where it would be soft enough to dig in !