Becker's and Bambie

[Dexwithers]

There are lot's of outdoor activities, but hunting is one of the few that would be almost impossible without a knife. So What Becker do you Hunt With?


This thread is for all things Deer. Killing, gutting, skinning, processing, cooking, etc. Feel free to include Elk, caribou, sheep, moose, boar, etc. If you killed it in the wild and are going to eat it, post it here.


Make sure to include pics of Becker knives. Beckers with other brands are ok but a Becker must be present.


If you have unique ways of skinning, field dressing, or processing your deer, tell us all about it. Tips and tricks? I want to hear them. How do you package it for freezing?

Do you age your meat? If so, How?


You've got a great recipe for wild game, by all means let us know.


Make jerky? Please share.............. But remember to bring enough for the whole class.............or I will have to take it all!!


Let us know what Becker knives you use for your wild game and why you prefer a particular blade length, shape, or size for different hunting and game processing tasks.


Also, if you have a great hunting story, this might be the place to share.


I want this thread to be all about how we use our Becker knives to feed ourselves from Mother Nature and tap into our primal instincts thru hunting but at the same time I would like it to be highly informative yet still mildly entertaining!!

That's about it. Let's go!!!!!

 

[Dexwithers]

So I don't have a hunting lease right now but I do live on a few acres and have deer all around me. Up until the day hunting season opened, I had 15 to 20 at a time in my front yard eating at my feeder.

Here are a few pics I took thru out the year of some of the deer. I actually had at least 4 eight points and an 11 point that would show up from time to time as well.

These guys would come everyday and eat out the bird feeder. haha

Some of the Axis deer that visit me. Man these things are smarter than white tale.

Opening day tho, all the neighbors were blasting away and the deer smarted up real quick and disappeared. So I only got one white tale this year, and it was a little doe.
I’m guessing she was 80 pounds or so? My Wife’s boss’s husband gave me a buck he killed so I only got to process 2 deer this year.

Here is a pic of the doe I got. I know she looks small but these deer here in Texas are nothing like the deer I grew up hunting in Natchez Mississippi. We used to get some monsters there but you would be lucky to see 1 deer per weekend.

I wish I would have had a chance to take some pictures of the skinning and cleaning process but my father was in town and I was trying to spend some time with him.

I will try to describe as best as I can what knives I used and the process:

I prefer to hang my deer by the hind legs in an A frame. That’s how I’ve always done it.
The two knives I mostly used were my BK-16 and my modded Gamestalker. My BK15 was also used.

This was the first time I used the Gamestalker and I must say that it was one of the best shaped skinners I’ve ever used. It's similar to my old Buck 103 that I've used for years.
I have used my BK16 to clean deer for the last two seasons. It is a very capable skinner but the Gamesalker was slightly better at skinning. But the BK-16 is better at everything else. If I only had one knife to use for everything, I would go BK-16. But if you use multiple knives, then a Gamstalker and something like the BK15 would be a perfect combo.
Last season I used a coated bk16&15 and had a problem with the fat and stuff sticking to the knife. This year they were all stripped and experienced no problem what so ever. Had micarta this year as well and that was a huge step up from the Zytel. Wet with blood and water, no problem, it actually improved the feel. For some reason the micarta never really feels cold to the touch so temps were no problem.

I received the second deer the next night so I had two deer that were killed within a day of each other.
I took all the meat off the deer using my BK-16’s and BK-15. I don’t saw the joints, I cut it with a knife and pop it out. The Beckers held up great. Wish I had picks of all this but I only had limited time to get it done.

I usually leave my deer meat on the bone and in an ice chest covered with ice for at least a week, sometimes up to 3. I pour the water out every day and put more ice if needed. It seems to work fine for me.
This is most of what I had to freeze.

I don’t have pics of the whole process cause my son was running around and stuff and I just wanted to get the meat packed up as quick as possible but I have a few for you guys.

I sharpened a lot of knives to try out. Here was my chosen arsenal.

Used mostly the 16’s and the 11 and 24 but the 5 and 15 saw a lot of use as well.

I like to use as much of an animal as possible, (you will see in later posts) so I save the ribs and all.

Don’t have pics of the process but basically used my BK15 to cut all the meat from the ribs. I then ran it thru my grinder.

I also save all the scraps and cut offs and run that thru as well. I made a lot of ground meat and ran some thru a few times. It came out looking better than the packs in the store. lol
Most people mix the deer meat with pork but I am happy with it by itself.

Here is a little patty I cooked up for my son and I. It was so good.

Back to the processing.

Ah…………….. meat…..

I used the BK16 lots but really gave my San Mai 11 a shot. It has no wrapping or handle but felt great in hand while using it.

Great knife. I don’t have pics but I used the BK24 just as much, and man was I impressed with the D2 steel. Held a razor sharp edge for a really long time.
The 11 and 14/24 is a great hunting knife in my opinion and would make great back up blade to throw in your pack.

That’s really all I have for this one.

Here is a pic of some little deer steaks I cooked up!

Enjoy.

 

[Dexwithers]

Wish I had more pictures for this one but I honestly didn't think it was going to come out so good.
I saved only a little bit of fat from the two deer but next time, I'm scraping every bit of it off.

Instructions:

1) Cut off fat from deer and try to remove as much meat as possible.
2) Cut fat into smaller pieces so it will render down faster.
3) Place in a pot with a little water to keep it from sticking and burning.
4) Place over fire or stove and stir as needed. Don't put it to hot. Add water as needed.
5) When all the fat has liquified and cooked and all the water has evaporated, take of heat and strain into container using paper towel or some type of cloth.
6) Let it cool.
7) It's now finished and you can enjoy it's many uses. Store in refrigerator.

It actually scrapes out of a jar with a spoon or you can break of pieces and rub them on.

Here are the pics I did take:

Rendering it in the beginning. I did this outside the first time because I didn't know how bad it would smell. It really wasn't bad so the next batch was made inside.

Cooked down a little more.

She looks done to me.

I used this old jar to store it in.

It was an inch or so away from the top after two batches.

I know what most of you are thinking. Why would anyone want to use Tallow. Well Let me tell you.

I am almost out of what I made and wishing I would have made more because it has so many great uses. I started cooking with it and used it to season my cast iron pots. Works great for the cast iron. I have used it instead of cooking oil ever since I made it.

Cooking homemade pancakes? Awesome, take some rendered tallow and place in bottom of skillet then place a pice of butter in the middle and let it mix together, then pour your batter on. So good and the butter won't burn. Great way to give breakfast that wild game feeling.

I'm serious, it tastes great, if my wife didn't complain about it and actually used it a few times on her own, it's good cause she is the pickiest person I know when it comes to wild stuff.

Also, it has many more uses in the field like lube for your bow drill divot, leather conditioner, knife blade protectant, Hell....... use the stuff as chap stick and skin conditioner if you have to.

And from what I read about it, it really won't go bad as long as you get the meat and water content out of it.


Well I hope you enjoyed this one and please let us know if you have made or used Tallow before.

 

[Dexwithers]

Did some research about bone broths and stocks and discovered that it is one of the most healthy things you can eat. Lots of minerals and vitamins that are hard to get from other foods. So I decided to make my own out of the deer bones I had.

Instructions: There are many great recipes if you search the net, I kinda just improvised. I read many of them, got the idea and went for it. Different recipes call for different ingredients. Some use wine and all sorts of stuff. Some put in oven first, some don't.

1) Get 3 to 5 pounds of fresh bones with some scraps left on them. The bones with lots of cartilage are great, especially from the neck and spinal area.
2) Cut the bones in a few pieces to expose the marrow.
3) Get lots of vegetables. Onions, Carrots, Celery, Garlic, Tomatoes, Mushrooms,etc. Also some herbs like rosemary and basil are great.
4) Cut the veggies up. I actually left the onion peelings on since you don't actually eat the veggies, the broth will absorb nutrients from the peelings.
5) Get some seasonings. I didn't use to much.
6) Can't remember how much but get some apple cider vinegar ready. (maybe half a cup or so?)
7) The oven can be preheated earlier in the process. I think I did 400 maybe.
8) Place the bones in a large pan and put in oven for around 30 minutes. Then remove pan and add vegetables and place back in oven for around 30 minutes.
9) After veggies and bones have been in together for at least 30 minutes, remove from oven and place in large pot.
10) Add water, Apple cider vinegar, and spices and let soak. Some say an hour up to 3.
11) After they have soaked for your desired time, turn on heat and get it to a simmer. YOU DO NOT WANT IT TO BOIL.
12) Sit back and relax, it's gonna be a while.
13) They say you can leave it on for 24 hours up to around 52 or something? I left mine for about 43 hours.
14) After it's done, take off heat and let cool down some.
15) Next while it is still warm, scoop out all bones and veggies.
16) Now strain into container or large pot using cheesecloth or something similar.
17) Put in fridge. I put mine out side on the porch for a few hours to cool a little more before putting in fridge.
18) Once the liquid has cooled, the fat will form a thick film on top. Scrape off and save, this is more Tallow!!
19) Place in smaller containers for storage.
20) Enjoy! Use in stews, soups, roasts, whatever. I use sometimes when pan cooking deer steaks.


Here are the pics. Note: I did not have a pot large enough so I improvised with an electric roaster thingy we had.


The bones!

Used my Silky Saw to cut them. I'm pretty sure I had my fine blade in at the time. Cut thru like butter.

I love how this saw has two cutting positions.

Look at all that goodness!

In they go.

The Veggies.

Out comes the bones.

Toss on the Vegetables.

All done.

Placed in the roaster.

Added water and rest of ingredients and let soak.

Yum..... haha. After it has cooked a little while.

Many hours later.

After I removed all this.........

I'm left with all this........

Time to strain.

Had just enough room.

All the left overs.

I rinsed the bones and later bleached them.......... Might make something from them....... I don't know yet.

The next day after it cooled over night and I scooped the layer of Tallow off.

I then bottled it up and put some in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. I have used quite a bit of it so far and must say it is so much better than store bought broth and from what I have read, Lots healthier. It had a wonderful flavor and I am going to start making this every year.

Hope this was insightful and enjoyable.

 

[Dexwithers]

Coming sooner rather than later............

 

[iwouldhurtafly]

Hey this thread has potential to be very cool. Sadly I do not have any pictures to contribute and have not had a chance to do any deer hunting. Kinda missed the boat on that one. However, the last time I went hunting was just for small game and varmints. Brother in law got a rabbit and had never cleaned one before so I offered to show him how. Brought out a mora clipper, BK14, and a BK2. The mora did not get used, the BK14 did a little bit of the slicing, (made the cut for the back) but the BK2 was pretty much did most of the work which was surprising. It was used to lop off the feet, head, and other fine work. Should have taken some pics but o well.

Cant wait to see what else comes up here!

 

[Dexwithers]

Hey this thread has potential to be very cool. Sadly I do not have any pictures to contribute and have not had a chance to do any deer hunting. Kinda missed the boat on that one. However, the last time I went hunting was just for small game and varmints. Brother in law got a rabbit and had never cleaned one before so I offered to show him how. Brought out a mora clipper, BK14, and a BK2. The mora did not get used, the BK14 did a little bit of the slicing, (made the cut for the back) but the BK2 was pretty much did most of the work which was surprising. It was used to lop off the feet, head, and other fine work. Should have taken some pics but o well.

Cant wait to see what else comes up here!

Man...... A BK2 and a rabbit?! haha Must have been a big rabbit. Nah..... that's awesome that it worked so good. The BK2 is underestimated sometimes for some of the small tasks that it is capable of doing. It really is a large hunk of steal but it is so well designed that it functions well beyond most knives in that class. It can do small stuff as well as the large stuff.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Cryptyc]

BK2 and a doe I got this past season. I hope to add some BK2 and coyote pics soon, just waiting for the cold snap to kick so my hunting buddies will join me. I'm not big on hunting alone, murphy's law and all....buddy system.


Doing work

Hanging on my hip after cleaning 3 deer that day

 

[daizee]

I hunted with a BK-11 for several seasons, but didn't get lucky. Actually my first time I had my BK11, but all the work was done with my friend's leatherman, and he did most of it anyway. Bambo finally made a wrong turn last year, but I was carrying my own steel by then.

I think the 15 would be a fine blade for turning chunks into cuts, but I don't have one.

 

[Dexwithers]

Very cool Cryptyc! Looks like that deer didn't stand a chance with that sniper gun!!

Seems the BK2 does a fine job and yours was getting down and dirty enjoying the taste of blood. I need to bust by BK-2 out and give her some love.

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Dexwithers]

I hunted with a BK-11 for several seasons, but didn't get lucky. Actually my first time I had my BK11, but all the work was done with my friend's leatherman, and he did most of it anyway. Bambo finally made a wrong turn last year, but I was carrying my own steel by then.

I think the 15 would be a fine blade for turning chunks into cuts, but I don't have one.

A Leatherman??? Should have moved him out the way and used that BK11! haha

And yes the 15 is awesome at cutting up the meat. A BK16 for skinning and a BK15 for cutting up the meat would be a perfect combo.

 

[daizee]

A Leatherman??? Should have moved him out the way and used that BK11! haha

And yes the 15 is awesome at cutting up the meat. A BK16 for skinning and a BK15 for cutting up the meat would be a perfect combo.

yeah, except he'd been cleaning deer for 30 years and I'd never touched one before. And it was freezing. And I was having an adrenaline dump. So I just assisted and soaked up the demo.

 

[Cryptyc]

Very cool Cryptyc! Looks like that deer didn't stand a chance with that sniper gun!!

Seems the BK2 does a fine job and yours was getting down and dirty enjoying the taste of blood. I need to bust by BK-2 out and give her some love.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Hahaha. They kind of laugh at me for carrying that hunker around the woods. I wanted one rifle that could cover anything I needed it too. It's got a bull barrel but it's only 20" tube so it's not too bad. I use it for target shooting, hunting, and day dreaming about being Bob Lee Swagger hahaha. Side note, I got a new sling for it after hiking that bad boy around for miles and miles. Viking Tactical adjustable padded sling. I just reversed it so it works like a traditional hunting sling. I can shoulder carry, back carry, or even combat carry if stalking. Has a quick slider so I can make it large to swing over back, or tighten it down quick for shot stability or to keep it tight to my body while moving. Very versatile and comfortable. I'll get a pic of it up later.

 

[Dexwithers]

daizee: That's actually very cool that a Leatherman worked for y'all. That's not really a tool I think about when I think hunting, not for the game part anyway. I have two Leathermans and will give them a try with some game sometime.

Cryptyc: Gotta carry what works for you I guess. It looks bad ass in the pic and I'd use it if it were mine cause I don't care who's laughing. haha

 

[Col Defender]

Not Bambie but I hope this is acceptable. Black bear I took in Allagash Maine 30 August, 2013.



And here at home some processing with my favorite tweener!

 

[Dexwithers]

Not Bambie but I hope this is acceptable. Black bear I took in Allagash Maine 30 August, 2013.

And here at home some processing with my favorite tweener!

This is very acceptable!! I'm sure that bear can eat Bambie so he's in the club. haha Awesome Picture of that beast.
I bet that's the first BK15 to cut up bear meat.
How did you cook it and what does it taste like?

My father took me bear hunting when I graduated High school, asked me if I wanted to go bear hunting instead of going on the class trip to the beach or something, and I said hell yes.
It was in Canada so I don't think we brought home much meat. And the guide we had was Indian and mentioned something about some part of the bear not being edible or something.

Also, Do most people save the males........ "Tweener" ..... haha. I think my dad made a coffee stirrer from his. I Killed a female so missed out on that. lol

Thanks so much for sharing this. It brings back lots of memories.

 

[Col Defender]

Good story Dexwithers! Yes males taste just great, especially when my wife or some of our friends cook bear. We've had bear lasagna, bear smothered steaks, bear chili, and all sorts of dishes. One thing I have not tried is just grilling a steak without any special treatment, like marinating, yet. Might try that this summer.

 

[Cryptyc]

Awesome Bear!

Pic of new sling mounted:

 

[Jerry D.]

I was at a family gathering with my fiancee's extended family (where they were serving venison) during deer season. While some of the others were swapping the latest hunting stories, her grandmother asked me, "Jerry.... Do you eat venison?" I just said, "Grandma, where I'm from everybody eats venison.... Whether or not they know they're eating it is an entirely different question."

My future brother in law's spit take was priceless.

 

[Col Defender]

We often feed venison stew to friends who "do not like deer meat" and only tell them afterwards what they just ate. 100% success rate on having them like it.