a super dumbo question
 

I'm sure everyone will think this is a real stupid question, but...
Just so you know, my dad owned a camping store when I was a kid, I grew up and all my life have been involved in backpacking, rock climbing, kayaks/canoes, fishing, biking- I'm no stranger to the woods. But for some reason, I've just never hunted. So when you field dress an animal, are you supposed to dig a hole and bury the (don't wanna curse here) "junk" that you drain out of the beast?
See, I told you it was a dumbo question, but hey, I'd rather ask a dumb question than do something stupid in the field!
-Thanks!
-Drew

RE: a super dumbo question
 

Some bury the entrails in order to show respect for the animal. Others leave the entrails above the ground for the coyotes. Either way, they are going to become food for scavengers, so it is your choice. A coyote will dig to get to the organs.

If I kill a deer on my land I will bury the organs to show my respect. If I kill a deer on public land I will take them home in a bag with me and bury them, since one is not allowed to alter public land in Mississippi (Digging a hole).

It is your choice.

RE: a super dumbo question
 

I'mborn and raisedNorth Carolina, but also in SC, VA WV GA TN AL MD:
The general rules I've grown up camping with are- pee 50 yards away from running water and dig a hole for a bowel movement. Its been rare that I've seen other campers follow these rules, but I do, EVERY TIME. If I'm going to do something, I do it right! So I have a feeling the answer to my question might be, "theoretically, yes, but noone does." If that's the case, let me know, because if that's what we're supposed to do, I don't mind doing it, and I don't mind doing it for anyone else out there who doesn't want to do it themselves.
-Drew

RE: a super dumbo question
 

Leave it lay .

RE: a super dumbo question
 

It is not disrespectful to leave the gut pile where you clean the animal. Of course this should be well back from major trails or roads people may commonly use as predators and other animals will be feeding on it.

I have always thought of it as sharing my kill with nature. If you do become lucky enough to take an animal, you will find a gut pile rarely lasts a full day before it is barely a stain on the ground. The coyotes, raccoons, skunks and then the crows and depending on where you hunt turkey buzzards make very short work of it.

RE: a super dumbo question
 

Happiness is a warm gutpile.:D Leave it where it falls, mother nature has her own sanitation crew.

RE: a super dumbo question
 

yea i agree. leave it.

RE: a super dumbo question
 

I've lived in MI all my life, and have never heard of anyone burying a gut pile or taking it home with them.
This might be due to the fact that when bow season starts in October, we already have frost at night, and cool temp's during the day. By the time gun season comes in mid-November, a gut pile usually freezes with a few hours ofbeing left.
I would say go with local customs and what you feel comfortable with.

RE: a super dumbo question
 

some people do it that way others just drag it off, but the only stupid question is the the one never asked

RE: a super dumbo question
 

there are no dumb questions others maybe thinking the same thing .i just leave it in the woods the animals take care of it in short time

RE: a super dumbo question
 

I've seen eagles completely obliterate a 500# brown bear carcass in less than a day. I'd leave the gutpile where it lays unless it is an area frequented by other users, or the landowner has requested that you remove the entrails from the woods in which case you can gut the animal into a garbage bag and pack them off with you. As everyone has said, anything you leave won't be around long, but you don't want Fido showing up at the landowner's house covered in blood and guts... (don't bother burying it, it'll just make more of a mess when it gets dug up.)