Originally Posted by Rob in VT

Really depends on the animal also. For example, when I kill an elk I don't field dress it. We remove each quarter, back straps, neck meat, and inside tender loins, and antlers if it is bull. The parts are packed out and hung for a few days. We then cut the muscle groups off the quarters, cut into steaks, package and freeze. Since a deer is much smaller than an elk (or moose or caribou), I may field dress it if I can get it out whole. If not I will do the same as the elk by taking it a part. Also you can remove the meat off the bone in the field to cut down on weight if need be.