- Joined
- Nov 5, 2009
- Messages
- 538
Hello everyone!
To usher in deer season, what more than a few pics to wet the palate?
Unfortunately, this was not the result of my own hunt. No, it was the puppy that got this one!
I could have also called this thread "The Ultimate Large-Scale Cross-Over Tool", as the goal of this post was initially to be about smaller size game processing with a larger blade, but became more of an inquiry into the 7" large camp knife as the ultimate belt knife/camp knife/bushcraft knife, cross-over tool...
So it all began a few weeks ago. A family of deer found a weak spot in the fencing and made their way into the apple orchards, garden beds, and vineyards. Of course, the dogs on the property were more than eager to chase them off and out, all but one. After many attempts to free it, the little puppy took over and played cat & mouse for a bit until the little deer's heart just couldn't take it anymore, and collapsed under an apple tree.
After confirming it's passing, and congratulating the puppy on her first catch, I tied the deer's legs and carried her under the big Willow for dressing. I went immediately for my Big Sky Camp, over my Highland Special, as I was curious about its performance on this little one. Although not a rabbit, the little 65 lb. deer was small enough, and skin thin enough, to consider small-medium game.
A proud puppy!
My friend Gonzalo walked up from working in the vineyard, curious, and pulled out a little Swiss Army knife and began sharpening it. I looked at him and then my Big Sky. He said, "Let's use yours". I saw the way he was eyeing it. No doubt he had never seen a Bowie like this. I was pleased to let him use it, as I was anxious to see what he thought of it. I was also glad to have a skinning buddy, as I usually do this work alone... Gonzalo is a devout roadkill scrounger, he probably goes through a deer every couple weeks, so I had no worries in letting him go at it... Although, I warned him, the Big Sky is sharp!
We strung up the little deer and went to quick work. The weather was perfect. The dogs, all watching.
I knew that we would be eating heartily for the week! The recipes were already abounding in my mind!
The Big Sky made the first cuts around the neck look like the skin was already aching to come apart.
Gonzalo chuckled a little, and I knew he was pleased. Occasionally, he would forget the sharpness and go a little deeper or give a little nick, but he was used to a Swiss Army knife, so I understood. The skin on this one was also really thin.
We fed her well, on apples and wild plum that's for sure!
The Big Sky handled circling the joints and popping no sweat, cut the ribs up like nothing, no edge rolls, no dents...
The width at the ricasso was useful in a variety of grips for geeting in odd angles. The lack of a guard as well, allowed more versatility. Blood soaked hands and blade, and there was no instance of, or wanting to, slip while gripping the micarta handles.
That's more like it!
Some choice, tender cuts! The lady of the house was pleased!
More to come!!!
To usher in deer season, what more than a few pics to wet the palate?
Unfortunately, this was not the result of my own hunt. No, it was the puppy that got this one!
I could have also called this thread "The Ultimate Large-Scale Cross-Over Tool", as the goal of this post was initially to be about smaller size game processing with a larger blade, but became more of an inquiry into the 7" large camp knife as the ultimate belt knife/camp knife/bushcraft knife, cross-over tool...
So it all began a few weeks ago. A family of deer found a weak spot in the fencing and made their way into the apple orchards, garden beds, and vineyards. Of course, the dogs on the property were more than eager to chase them off and out, all but one. After many attempts to free it, the little puppy took over and played cat & mouse for a bit until the little deer's heart just couldn't take it anymore, and collapsed under an apple tree.
After confirming it's passing, and congratulating the puppy on her first catch, I tied the deer's legs and carried her under the big Willow for dressing. I went immediately for my Big Sky Camp, over my Highland Special, as I was curious about its performance on this little one. Although not a rabbit, the little 65 lb. deer was small enough, and skin thin enough, to consider small-medium game.
A proud puppy!
My friend Gonzalo walked up from working in the vineyard, curious, and pulled out a little Swiss Army knife and began sharpening it. I looked at him and then my Big Sky. He said, "Let's use yours". I saw the way he was eyeing it. No doubt he had never seen a Bowie like this. I was pleased to let him use it, as I was anxious to see what he thought of it. I was also glad to have a skinning buddy, as I usually do this work alone... Gonzalo is a devout roadkill scrounger, he probably goes through a deer every couple weeks, so I had no worries in letting him go at it... Although, I warned him, the Big Sky is sharp!
We strung up the little deer and went to quick work. The weather was perfect. The dogs, all watching.
I knew that we would be eating heartily for the week! The recipes were already abounding in my mind!
The Big Sky made the first cuts around the neck look like the skin was already aching to come apart.
Gonzalo chuckled a little, and I knew he was pleased. Occasionally, he would forget the sharpness and go a little deeper or give a little nick, but he was used to a Swiss Army knife, so I understood. The skin on this one was also really thin.
We fed her well, on apples and wild plum that's for sure!
The Big Sky handled circling the joints and popping no sweat, cut the ribs up like nothing, no edge rolls, no dents...
The width at the ricasso was useful in a variety of grips for geeting in odd angles. The lack of a guard as well, allowed more versatility. Blood soaked hands and blade, and there was no instance of, or wanting to, slip while gripping the micarta handles.
That's more like it!
Some choice, tender cuts! The lady of the house was pleased!
More to come!!!
Last edited:
