Best saw to split a moose

G

g-manz35

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NE Sask
What is the best corded or cordless saw to use to split a moose/elk down the backbone lengthwise. I was thinking of buying a cordless reciprocating saw, but thought I should ask first. Cordless options would be preferred.

BTW I am not asking about using the gutless method so I prefer we save that for another thread.

Thanks. G
 
Machete. Don't laugh, it works very well. You can whack a moose into nice quarters very quickly and cleanly.

Kukris are great for chopping meat and bone too.
 
You need a lot of batteries for a cordless recip saw to get the job done. If plugging in is an option...it's a better one.
 
Out in the bush a chainsaw works fine, pretty easy to use, lots of power and no batteries to worry about. Can use cooking oil in the bar but seems to be enough fat and marrow to lube it anyways. With the animal belly up and gutted just follow the spine from the inside....also makes quick work of removing the antlers.
At home I've used a reciprocating saw...I like the chainsaw better.
 
I have often thought my little limbing chain saw would be perfect. I would fill the bar oil with olive oil and do some cutting with it to get rid of all the machine oil.

Nice to hear it would work.
 
If you like the bones in your cuts of meat then a good meat saw or the two axe method works well for splitting as long as you have it solidly hung. However, bone dust in meat leaves a bitter flavour and if CWD is a concern ( even though there is no case of it spreading from game to humans) then the nervous tissue in the spinal column and skull should not be expose to the meat you will be eating.

A moose or any other game animal can be broken down boneless and still have pieces that make nice roasts, steaks, and ground meat.

Do not gut
1) With the animal down remove the two hinds by cutting alone the groin to the ball joint of the hip and detach. ( leave the hide on to keep the meat clean)
2) Remove the two front shoulders
3) Roll the animal on its belly and slice the hide down the back line and skin to expose the back straps. Remove the back straps and put them in a game bag.
4) Debone the neck and back hip and toss the trimmings in a game bag.

At the end if you take your time you only lose the ribs and you leave the torso containing the guts. The pieces can be skinned out right away or hung depending on the conditions you are in. The hinds give you your roasts and the back straps will give you your steaks and the burger comes from the trimmings and the shoulders. There is no need to take a saw or and axe to the animal.

I have found cheese cloth bags for game off of ebay very cheap. They are worth their weight in gold when packing meet out of the bush.

Check you local regs with regard to what has to remain wit the kill when it is transported. The head can be easily removed even without an ax if required and the hide is on the hinds and shoulders. I've done this alone but trust me when you have a large animal two guys is always better.
 
If your using a chain saw don't bother with the cooking oil. It will gum up and your saw will be useless in a few years.
There is no need for any oil when cutting bone and meat. The fat and spine provide more than enough lube for the 5minutes it takes to cut a moose in half
 
powdergun, by using the gutless method you are wasting some of the tastiset parts of the animal....BBQ ribs, slow cooked brisket in Sauerkraut, T-bone steak....for me a bone in steak just seems to taste better.
Seems like to much of a waste on the animal...if it was gut shot it might be the way to do it though.
 
DeWALT 10A Reciprocating Saw

Use this when the animal is close enough to my truck and I have enough extension cord :dancingbanana:




Bone saw works but it's nice to have a few others with you too take turns and such. My little foldable Gerber saw works...but you certainly can't be in a hurry.


Never used the axe method ....sounds way better than my little packable saw.
 
hawk-i said:
powdergun, by using the gutless method you are wasting some of the tastiset parts of the animal....BBQ ribs, slow cooked brisket in Sauerkraut, T-bone steak....for me a bone in steak just seems to taste better.
Seems like to much of a waste on the animal...if it was gut shot it might be the way to do it though.
Click to expand...

You do lose the ribs but I guess you could remove them with a small axe and a bit more work. For me I just do not like the flavour the bones add to wild game meat. Also, I've often taken game far from my vehicle and I don't own a quad or a sled so my method works when you need to pack it out.
 
Nester said:
DeWALT 10A Reciprocating Saw

Use this when the animal is close enough to my truck and I have enough extension cord :dancingbanana:



Bone saw works but it's nice to have a few others with you too take turns and such. My little foldable Gerber saw works...but you certainly can't be in a hurry.


Never used the axe method ....sounds way better than my little packable saw.
Click to expand...



We were using the same on deer, but hunt close enough to the farm to whip the dressed deer home. Yard lights, a sawzall and a front end loader make short work of skinning and splitting any animal.

I've since switched to de boning though, it's not really any more work in the end, saves freezer space and there aren't any little bone bits to contend with.

I've split deer in half in the field with a folding pruning saw too. Light and portable but I'm not sure I'd want to tackle a moose with one.
 
Don't forget about temperature when you're considering cordless either! We're using Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee and Rigid stuff at work. When the temperature drops below zero, productivity drops off hard on all brands. Just something to keep in mind if you're heading way off into the bush. A good Swede saw (bow saw) is a light and useful tool as well. And it's truly cordless. ;)
 
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