Hi all,

I didn't grow up with a hunting influence so now I'm trying to catch up. I'm anxious to go deer and turkey hunting but have so many questions (where to start? how to dress a deer? where to get it butchered? what gear is necessary and what is marketing bs?). I have CT tags and am ready to go, just need some guidance. The last thing I want to do is maim an animalor waste it by f'ing things up. Any help would be appreciated.

JBV,

where are you located in Connecticut??

HH

Windsor (10 min. north of Hartford)

There's CT people who advertise butchering deer, but I don't have any of theirnames handy.
Here's a deer procesing video that I found: https://secure.kentucky.gov/Mall/Store/7803440a42df458c815d9db55890b738/Home/9ed1752ec2f5417282de7dd895c43227/

I hired a home butcherin the New Hartford, CTarea close to where I was huntingfor the first couple of times, and by watching him I learned how to do it myself.
You definitely need a pully with the hanger(gambrel), to hoist up the deer.
Also, you need freezer paper and zip lock type freezer bags, so the meat will last longerwithout gettingfreezer burn.
A meat grinder is a real plus for grinding meat scraps.
Some people debone the meat and put it in the refrigerator for a couple of days (or longer)to age the meat a little, but that's optional.
There's books about dressing a deer and the care of game meat, sometimes found at local libraries. You may have to go toa library in a nearby town to find one.
And basic field dressingtechniques arealso usually a part of the Hunter Safety Certification course. Maybe you will meet a friend or other localhunters who can identify deer butchers in your area or canhelp you themselves.Try askingat anyarea gun shop orgun clubmembers you find shopping therefor specificinfo.. Just stop in and ask, and keep trying until you find someone.
Do you know how to field dress a deer?
Once you refresh yourself with what you need to do from your course handbook, you'll quickly develop theability to do it when needed as long as you are prepared.
Having rubber gloves along with you in the field, along with somecloth ragsand some plastic bagstostore them in afterward helps.
And buy acheap deer harness to help you drag outa deer, and a sharp hunting knife at least 4 to 5 inches long.
And don't forget to bring string or wirefor attaching your tag to the deer.

If you run into any trouble or need more help,just click on my name and contactme.

I don't. I came by way of Massachusetts and, at least when I took their bowhunter education class, field-dressing a deer wasn't part of the program.

You are right, though, about starting with the local libraries. I'll also check out that video you recommended, as well as local gun shops/clubs.

Thanks for the tips.

Hello JBV,
I am in a smilar situation to you. I began hunting 3 years ago without having anybody to teach me the ropes. I must warn you that it is harder than I thought it would be to locate and get close to deer. It is especially hard to get within bow range. This will be my third season of bow hunting public land in north western CT and I have yet to get a deer.
Good Luck,
Bill

JBV and MTSWFW,

I also started out self taught and it took many years before I really started to get it. Some of the best areas in your state to hunt are the bow hunting only areas. Keep at it. Here are some suggestions:

1. Scent control: All of my cloths are washed in scent free soap with baking soda added in the rinse. They are dryed with fresh earth dryer sheets. I shower with scent free soap and use scent free antiperspirent. The rest of my equipment is doused with scent elimination spray.

2. Pay attention to the wind. I tie a thread to the weapon I am using and I carry a wind puffer.

Read, Here are some suggestions:

White Tail Wisdom by Daniel E. Schmidt

White Tail Hunting Tactics of the Pros Edited by Lamar Underwood

Mapping Trophy Bucks by Brad Herndon

I have these three and they are good.

Early season in Connecticut the best thing you can do is find the food sources. To me it looks like another banner year for acorns so I would check the hardwooks.

HH

Yup, find some good white oaks!!! The deer love them acorns!!!
Connecticut, at least the south east part, is loaded with deer, and as posted before the "archery only areas" are gold mines!!!! I moved out here from Minnesota a couple years back, so I have only explored a few of the areas, but deer sign and sightings has been high!! I don't know about butchers, because I have always done that myself!! It's actually pretty easy once you've done it a few times, but does take some time!! Deer meat tastes the best, and last the longest if it is 100% lean, so even if you do take it to a butcher, I would recommend getting it back unwrapped, and going through it again yourself with a filet knife and triming of any fat!!! Then wrap it yourself! I wrap mine in saran wrap first, (trying to get it air tight), then freezer paper!! It will last a couple years with this method!!

Good Luck!

Thanks everyone, for some really helpful suggestions. While I'm anxious to get out there, I'm under no delusions that I will get a deer on my first day or even my first year. I'm looking forward to a lifetime of learning.

Thanks again, and good luck this season.

Good Luck jbv, This will be my 4th year of bowhunting and I've been lucky enough to of gotten at least 1 deer each of my 3 previous years...but it's been a learning process along the way. You'll do just fine, keep the wind in your face and the sun at your back...practice good scent control, and set up between where they bed and their food source, and you'll be "putting em down" before you know it. Once again, Good Luck -- Van