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To gut or not to gut.

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Old 08-17-2013 | 08:44 PM
  #11  
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: North Idaho
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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..
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Old 08-18-2013 | 06:58 AM
  #12  
MZS
Typical Buck
 
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern WI
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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.
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Old 08-18-2013 | 07:48 AM
  #13  
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Indiana
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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.
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Old 08-18-2013 | 08:04 AM
  #14  
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: VA.
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I field dress it where it falls.If it's hot,I'll ice it.
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Old 08-18-2013 | 10:07 AM
  #15  
Fork Horn
 
Joined: May 2010
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From: Maine
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I also gut in field but drag it to a creek or something like that.
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Old 08-18-2013 | 10:12 AM
  #16  
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Midwest
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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.
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Old 08-18-2013 | 01:04 PM
  #17  
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: NW Oklahoma
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I never field dress deer. I have a place to clean them on the hunting property, so I get them cleaned pretty quick.
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Old 08-18-2013 | 05:17 PM
  #18  
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From: Port Neches, Texas
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What! No one else cleans them without gutting at all?
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Old 08-18-2013 | 06:23 PM
  #19  
Spike
 
Joined: May 2013
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From: michigan
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Most of the time I gut them where they fall. I don't mind the pile being by my stand, other deer don't pay much attention and have shot a couple coyotes that came to the piles.
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Old 08-18-2013 | 06:50 PM
  #20  
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Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Alberta Canada
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Cleaning them ASAP aids cooling and makes them much easier to move.
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