I know that many articles have said that it wouldn't make a big deal, but I wouldn't want to test this theory. I mean if you could take it somewhere else like a friend or something I would do that. No need pushing your luck and ruining a great area. Just my .02.

Do you process your own or take it to a butcher? If you take in just bring it in to the butcher and they'll hang in the cooler until it's cut up.

I wouldn't worry about it. Ive shot deer, gutted them and let them lay and within 30 minutes Ive deer feed right up to them. Deer have seen dead deer before so I wouldn't think they would be bothered by them. The only thing I have ever been concerned about was the coyotes coming into the gut pile which is why I gut my deer a little farther from my stands now.

Your buddy is incorrect. Gutting a deer near your stand will not contaminte the area.

Where I am, coyotes and other critters clean up gut piles within a day or two.

I have shot deer within feet of where I gutted another deerless thana week prior.

I'd be more worried about the amount of human scent that would be around after all the activity.

Crokit hit the nail on the head ... the gutting and the hanging of the deer won't effect anything.

I agree with hillrunner. Not about taking away yourbirthday but being concerned about human scent. Outside of possibly attracting predators, I honestly don't think the scent of a gutten deer and carcass would be a concern.

One other thought. When we hang a deer, we always hang our hunting jacket on the deer as well, allowing it to pick up the scent of the deer.

i would never do it cuz i have a place to hang and gut mine..but the deer dont kno that a human killed it..they dont associate a dead deer with humans..they dont come across a dead deer and say oh..a human must have killed that..they just dont analyze things like that..