RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

Its good to slpit the pelvis so the cavity can open up more and be able to cool.Especially on warmer days.
JE

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

Exactly.Splittingthe pelvic bone is usually the first thing I do, especially if you are alone cleaning it. Itenables you to spread it open further whiledressing the rest of it. I usually just use my knifebut I recently bought a 4" long bone saw for it that works awesome.

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

Reads like people have their own methods, which is totally fine. I split the pelvic bone and cut out the anus. I personally do not like getting crap and urine on me, but make mistakes once in a while, but wash myself and the deer with water if I make one. Splitting the pelvic does seem to help a little with cooling.

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

What's the benefit of cutting the pelvic bone? I guess I have just cut around the anus, up the middle of stomach and as far up the chest cavity as possible, then yanked everything out. Is there more to it? Seriously, I'm kinda new.

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

i always pull all the guts out first, everything in the stomach and chest cavities. at the very end i place my knife on the pelvic bown a force it through. DO NOT put the point in and try spreading it, as i broke my knife on the first deer i ever dressed(thank god for the buck life time warranty). anyway, once the pelvic is opened you can cut everything out very easily.

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

A Butcher always told me that any exposed meat is likely to not be good unless you butcher the deer right away. Where I hunt, it takes about 4 days for us to get to cut up our deer. I just make about a 12" long cut to gut the deer, then cut around the anus to oull it out either from outside or inside, very little exposed meat.

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

Sswpriz, exposed meat not likely to be good? I am sure you mean that with qualifiers/variables such as temp, cleanliness, etc...? I say this, as I have never had a problem with spoilage or other issue from splitting the pelvicor from letting deer cut from chest through pelvic hang for up to 3-4 days in cool enough weather.

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

I split the pelvis to get theanus and bladder more easily without making a mess. I don't like taking a chance with spoilage, so I drop offthe deer at the butcherthe night of the hunt anyway.

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

i agree, i hat to butcher my buch right away on opening day cuz it was warm this year, but it usually not uncommon for me to let them hang for a few days in low enough temps

RE: FIELD DRESSING
 

My first move is to open the chest cavity and remove guts, then cut around the anus and tie it off. The one time I didn't tie it off, I spilled poo everywhere. Since then, it's all about tying it off. I don't want to risk that again. I split the pelvis too, but my deer get taken to the butcher after the hunt, so it probably doesn't matter too much in my case.
-- B