I have gutted a deer on opening morning,and went back the next morning and taken another within a few feet of where I gutted the first!

From what I've seen, as long as no predators are around, gut piles are just part of the scenery.
I remember an article recently where they placed a trailcam at a gut pile, deer were photographed sniffing at the pile.

I've even killed a deer that was in the vicinity of a deer carcass.
I still make a conscious effort to not gut a deer in a travel corridor.

I agree,during the rut it isn't as big a deal,but before the rut I would avoid doing it if possible.
If you can drag them without gutting,move them to another location first!

Well, one thing for sure, no matter if it affects an area or not, you sure want it to not.

I go to the dump every 3 weeks to take my garbage off. It stinks, but I still go. But if I was walking the same route every day thru my house and all the sudden I smell something rotten, I am going to take note.

You don't think a big mature buck doesn't? Your choice. Difference is between you and I is I sure wouldn't be stupid enough to take that chance. You might.

i killed a 10 point, 4 1/2 year old the next day, just 30 yards from it. But ya never know because he coulda had a girl on his mind and not noticed at all.

I have shot many of deer and left a gut pile close to my stand. I went back that same evening and shot another deer. I have even seen deer lick a gut pile. So, no, I really think it does not affect them one way or another.

Of course you have. Its the internet. We all have.:woot:

I can see that.

I've done the exact same thing. It is a good question to ask here.;)

What amazes me is that you all still gut deer!!! I drag mine out of the woods, bring it home, hang it head down and get all four quarters, the backstraps, and tenderloins, without gutting it. The only time I get a little messy is cutting out the tenderloins.

I haven't gut a deer in 8 years.

"It's" the internet? ziiiiing!!! You got me!

Get your panties back out of your rear, because you're being what you were complaining about earlier in this thread. Cry babies like you make me laugh.

It is the whole weight thing with me. I like a lighter drag.

It's a lighter drag, yes--and not to mention it's a good idea to get the guts out of there and away from the meat and get the carcass cooled down asap.

I can think of a million good reasons to gut a deer in the field...I really can't think of one good one not to do that.

Yikes.

I don't think it bothers the deer...but you do have be concerned about attracting predators to the area. That is a pretty big problem where I hunt.

Yes, or scavengers. I had a pack of skunks tearing up a gut pile near my stand once and they made a lot of noise....not to mention my fear of coming across one too closely.

I have the deer quartered and in the fridge / or cooler within 2 hours of the kill. Never had a problem with the meat tainted or going bad.

For you Michlw39 - I would recommend you keep gutting deer.

A11en, I'm not sure where you hunt, but where I do, we like to hang a deer for aging. So in our case we field dress our deer. Granted, during early bow season, we often don't have that option. So we generally quarter and "age" in the beer fridge. Even then I still field dress my deer.

As far as placement of the pile, we generally drag them off of main corridors. We also see that most piles are gone within a day or two due to coyotes and other scavengers. Regarding human scent left at the dressing site, I can't say for sure. My assumption is that the pile in and of itself probably outweighs most of the human scent.

I've seen plenty of studies showing various scents, human and otherwise that don't affect deer movement or patterns after time - say 24 hours.

Here, I have had no problems at all with a gut pile. And I also agree to gut em, but can also see the benefits of cleaning without gutting.
But to ya gotta love gettin a little messy....

dont think it would be there long enough to harmt things too bad