RE: gutting deer
 

You can do it both ways, either reem and cut the anus or split the pelvis. I actually split the pelvis and use a Sagen Saw(this is a small t grip saw, with a protective end and available through Cabela's) I cut up to the brisket, around the gentils and release the skin & meat to the pelvis, then use the sagen saw to cut the pelvis. Then I open up and remove the connective tissue and in one swoop remove the guts. If I am not mounting the head, i will cut the esophagus(through the throat) and pull down. If mounting I cut around the esophagus and as high up as possible, I then cut directly through the esophagus as far down as possible and pull down. It always comes out in one pile no mess or contamination. I will then try and retrieve as much of the esophagus as possible, by cutting and pulling. I cut away the skin flaps form the belly to aid in cooling. It is important to get air flow and cooling, the meat will actually rot inside/out. Imperative to get it cool. I always rinse the cavity with cool water and if snow on the ground I will fill the the cavity up with snow and repeat to aid in the process of cooling the meat(it will also clean and pick up the blood). I like to skin my animals as soon as possible, then get them in the cooler or debone and freeze.

I have never opened up the brisket all the way, but it can be done if you choose. (However if mounting I wouldn't suggest it) I really don't see the need on a deer.

RE: gutting deer
 

As evidenced by the varied responses already, there are a number of equally legitimate ways to do this.

Here's the method I use, a description c/w photos I did a few years back. Hopefully it is of some help.

http://www.angelfire.com/bc/canuck2/gutting.html

RE: gutting deer
 

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Thanks for the props David:)

The breast plate is easy enough to cut through with a normal knife on a normal size deer. I don't believe that you could break with hands though.

Jim

Visit me on the Web...

Hunting in Georgia and Beyond
http://www.huntinginga.com

RE: gutting deer
 

WOW, thank you so much fellas, you went above and beyond.

What I have gathered is this. There are a ton of different ways to do it, and as long as you gut it quickly and sanitarily, not accidentally nicking the bladder,etc., all is good.

It seems all of your methods work very well, as none of you mentioned any bad meat due to any prior mistakes.

If I was to nick the p-bag, will washing it out ASAP eliminate any chance for spoilage?

Thanks again.

RE: gutting deer
 

I have cleaned deer both of the ways. Slitting the pelvis and not. I have one butcher who instists on you slitting the pelvis and will charge $5 if you don't and $5 if the anus is not removed. I also have had butchers tell you not to split the pelvis. So I guess it is really an individual preference. I have found it much easier to split the pelvis to remove the anus. However, if I have a long drag, I will not split the pelvis. If I split the pelvis, I use a small folding saw, or a good serrated blade. I have a knife that is serated only at the base, and it seems to work well. With splitting the chest cavity, sometimes I do it, sometimes I don't. It does make it a bit easier reaching inside if you do. You can split the cavity easier than the pelvis with the same tools. You don't have to go very far though.

relkhunter, everthing that is in your last post is correct.

Edited by - BobCo19-65 on 02/12/2003 09:29:06

RE: gutting deer
 

rookelkhunter I am pretty darn luck because I hunt fairly close to home as a result I actually hang/dress my deer(If it is real hot or I am not near home I field dress as others have mentioned).

Hang/dress??? Aha this is the easiest cleanest way to do it. You need a place to hang your deer with a spreader bar and a rope/pulley system. First thing you do is cut a slit between the large tendons on the back of the hind legs, put the hooks from the spreader bar in these slits with the deer on its back and pull up the deer just enough to easily access the genitals, here is where I do it a little differently than others, I free up the penis, then I put my finger in the rectum keeping an outward pull on it as I cut it and the penis free. Once it is free, I tie a shoe string or cord around it snugly. Do not use thin string or fishing line, if you pull that to tight it may cut through.

Once you have the anus and penis freed up and tied off, then pull the deer up high enough to allow you to proceed with the gutting, I do my first cut about half way from the anus/pelvis down about halfway to the ribcage. Then I hoist the deer all the way up to finish.

You will want a large bucket or old cooler in front of the deer to catch the guts and such. Now what I do is simply continue my cut all the way down through the sternum holding the guts in with my other hand. I know this sounds like a battle, but actually all you are really doing is keeping the guts away from the knife, they do not just &quot;fall&quot; out.

Once you have cut all the way down, just let the guts drop into the bucket, if the anus does not drop free you can easily cut it free and let it drop on down, at this point you will be able to easily cut free the diaphragm and drop the lungs and all into the bucket, then all that is left is to grab the windpipe and cut it as far down as you can.

You now ready to skin, your deer is hung, and the guts are in a container ready to dispose of and only one bloody hand! I know this sounds more complex than some of the others, but in reality you can do this all in 4-5 minutes with a little practice.



The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog

RE: gutting deer
 

Couple questions.

If you do gut in the field, what is the absolute longest it should be in the elements....let' s say it' s rather warm....50 or so. Should you put ice in the body cavity if you are several hours from a butcher?

Taz, if you do not gut it and are fairly close to home...how far is too far in regards to a timeline? 20 minute drive?

Thanks all.

RE: gutting deer
 

i always split the pelvis bone with my leatherman saw and take the cut down around the poop shoot. i do this before i open up the chest cavity, this way the guts don' t slide out and get in your way. open the chest, cut the wind pipe and pull everything straight out, then you make one little trim cut to the poop shoot and your done. never even get blood more than an inch or two past my wrists.

all my buddies ream the pooper but i' ve noticed when doing so they sometimes cut into the meat in the hindquarters leaving big gashes.

RE: gutting deer
 

The first thing I do is cut around the anus, then only cut from the breastplate to the pelvis. I never split the pelvis, nor do I split the breast bone. I found that leaving the ribcage intact makes it easier to get rid of the bones when I' m done butchering. I put the leg bones inside the rib " basket" for a neat package ready for disgarding. And I found that it' s a lot easier getting the animal out of the woods with the pelvis intact, ' cause the hindquarters aren' t flailing around as much. Just my personal preference!

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