To gut or not to gut.
08-17-2013, 08:44 PM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: North Idaho
Posts: 1,071
If you drag it a long ways I don't want to get it full of dirt and leaves etc...so I always gutted at home. most of my deer were a mile from my house. Even now it still only 20 minute drive. Only time I would worry about it is in the early Bow season/hotter days. Gut and fill the cavity with ice as soon as possible..
08-18-2013, 06:58 AM
#12
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern WI
Posts: 853
Leaving the guts in an open area where crows (and eagles) can see will insure that the guts will be gone in a day or two. The crows making a racket probably also draw in predators. Works well for me on my land.
08-18-2013, 07:48 AM
#13
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 7,182
I gut it where it falls. No sense dragging it around with the extra weight. I have also killed deer near a gut pile and have whacked a few coyotes in the process. Might as well take them out if you get the chance. If you don't want any leaves or dirt getting in the cavity have a plastic tobaggon handy to help drag it out. They work well plus you can take the heart out with you as well without it getting dirt and leaves on it.
08-18-2013, 10:12 AM
#16
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,079
I have always gutted the deer asap. In MO we sometimes have shirtsleeve weather during gun season. I like to open the deer up so the meat can start cooling and it is a lot easier to handle after losing that weight. I keep a 2 gal. hand pump sprayer full of cool water at camp to wash it out with and speed cooling. It is also handy for an extra fire extinguisher if needed. If I have far to take the deer I stop at the first grocery store and buy two or three bags of ice to put inside it and wrap it in a tarp. Maybe this is overkill but I don't want the meat to spoil.
