Advice for a newbie on field dressing deer

Exidous

Exidous

Regular
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Location
Republic of Bantario
Hi,

I expect to shoot my first deer this year and I'm seeking advice. Ive gutted rabbit and ducks and Ive been dressing fish all my life so I'm not totally unfamiliar with anatomy. Could you guys tell me what tools I should buy to make it easier. What kind of saw, knife etc....

Also if someone could point me to a thread or a tutorial on the actual dirty work step by step that would be awesome.

Any advice you wish you would have had the first time you did it.

Thanks in advance.
 
I tend to use a fairly stout knife - no saw or hatchet needed. There are many videos on youtube that will show you how to do it - also easier to follow on video than in words.

One tip, and I ran into this a few weeks ago, was an extremely full bladder (on the deer, not me). It was full to the point that I thought it was going to burst, I had never seen anything like it before. I was able to gently squeeze the bladder and it voided. This made the work around that area much easier.
 
Youtube is full of videos that walk you through it. A couple tips are to just watch your fingers if you're reaching up inside an animal, and make sure you wash the cavity soon after.
 
1899 said:
I tend to use a fairly stout knife - no saw or hatchet needed. There are many videos on youtube that will show you how to do it - also easier to follow on video than in words.

One tip, and I ran into this a few weeks ago, was an extremely full bladder (on the deer, not me). It was full to the point that I thought it was going to burst, I had never seen anything like it before. I was able to gently squeeze the bladder and it voided. This made the work around that area much easier.
Click to expand...

Lol... Thanks... Your bladder comment made me laugh.... the deer not me......
 
Don't be afraid to get in there!! It might freak you out, but you have to cut around the arsehole and tie it off so you don't get poop in your deer. Then you cut it open. Then you stick your arm in up to the shoulder and pull out the windpipe. When you loosen the two ends, everythign will pretty much fall out :) Everything that sticks can usually be pulled out with your hands.
 
I get a little more involved. I'll use a saw up the breastbone, then open the diaphragm. Use the saw to open the pelvis, then cut a slit along the windpipe I can stick a finger in. Cut across the windpipe and esophagus above the slit, stick my finger in, and drag everything down. Don't forget to save the liver. It's the best part.

I prefer the type of saw that looks like a ridiculously vicious punch dagger.

J
 
Get yourself a "Buttout 2", it will save you from worrying about making a mistake with the anus. I can't believe I just wrote that.
 
Make sure you get the entire esophagus out. It's very easy to leave some behind and they almost always have stomach contents in them as a result of the kill. Stomach acid bad.
 
Another thing is the new knives which are designed to cut the skin only work great or a knife with a gut hook , If you dont have one of those just be carefull when making the cut up to the breastbone so you dont puncture any vitals . Lift the hide away from the stomach with a couple fingers , cut in between the two fingers and go slow.Have the deer laying on its back with the head up hill as well and avoid contact with the scent glands on the inside of the rear knees.

327702.jpg


1-21-07001.jpg
 
I may have told this story before - can't remember if it was on here. My first field dressing job was in Pennsylvania. We had 2-way radios and my father and family friend guided me step-by-step. Turned out great. But was I red in the face later that day when we returned to our friend's house where we staying during the trip. Everyone there started in on me (apparently, 22 was quite old for a field dressing virgin down there). How did they know? The local grocery store employees pass the time in between gossip sessions by listening to a scanner. They picked up my entire field dressing education. By the end of the day, the whole town knew.
 
I wouldn't worry about deer droppings if you spill a few. They are hard and round, just scoop 'em out. That's not a big deal anyway. Cut a ring around the bunghole as deep as you can all the way around.

Dead deer want to stay on their side, unlike bears who lay flat on their backs, so it helps to tie a back leg to a tree to provide access to the belly.

Be very very careful opening up the abdomen. I start way back between the legs and carefully open up just the hide first, then cut through the thin muscles to get to the gut cavity.

Avoid puncturing the stomach. Stomach acid is bad. It stinks, taints the meat and promotes rot.

The others have told you what to do next. You can do it all with a Buck Lite. Surgical gloves are useless and a pain in the ass. They fill up with blood. Ask me how I know.
 
I can,t tell you how to do it on here but I can tell you from experiance"Do Not drink a bottle of woods old navy rum the night before" as your stomache may not like the job while performing it. lol

54 now 15 then....
 
Be careful when reaching in around the impact area (splintered bones can be extremely sharp), roll your sleeves up well past your elbows, set your knife up on something while rolling out the guts, pack some baby wipes, always carry a plastic bag for the heart!
 
If you can hang the deer, it makes everything easier. Keeps everything cleaner. Use gravity to advantage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom