What are some of your deer gutting tips

D

dd61999

Joined
Sep 12, 2007
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I am always looking for better, cleaner way to field dress deer. especially when working around the anus and bladder. Anybody have any tips just using a knife.
 
At the guts, poke the blade in, edge side up, tip pointing back toward the head. Don't go straight in.
Then cut up toward the head, putting two fingers inside the cut under the spine of the blade to feel for where you're cutting.

The anus cut is the hardest. That's where you take a risk on puncturing the scent glands, and such.

Around the guts just start with a shallow incision to reveal where you're at, the go a little at a time until you are in the cavity. Roll the critter on its side, open up the cavity and cut everything away from the backbone (this is where having it on a hill helps) and roll the guts out. You may have to switch sides to get everything clear.

Point the head uphill if you can, that way if you puncture anything it'll roll down toward the rearend (where you won't really lose any meat...unless you just like deer anus).
 
use a small knife, take your time, split the pelvis with a small hatchet or a large enough knife

i used to see a lot of carcasses when i was a kid without the pelvis spit and could never understand why
 
This video is one of the better I've seen on field dressing, although he starts from the sternum which is unusual. Notice the small size knife he uses (I think it is a KOA knife). I actually used the sit on the chest method he mentions after watching this video and it works when you are in a tight spot.

http://www.myoutdoortv.com/video/video.php?v=79nD5-FNDcc_zE8SLaoOUJDUwRxN9_x0

There is a part 2 and 3 to this video on processing deer which also quite good, and can be found on this page.

http://fw.ky.gov/kyafieldtv.asp
 
I only have one reccomendation. Nuy a hunters specialty Butt out tool ( around $10). You insert it in the anus cavity turn it twice pull out and cut. real simple been hunting for 30 years and this makes it so much easier. as far as gutting just make a small incision insert 2 fingers pull up on the hide with knife tip in blade up.Take your time and you will not puncture the guts. I never split the pelvic in the field.

Best of luck,
Mike
 
bigcountry1315 said:
I only have one reccomendation. Nuy a hunters specialty Butt out tool ( around $10). You insert it in the anus cavity turn it twice pull out and cut. real simple been hunting for 30 years and this makes it so much easier. as far as gutting just make a small incision insert 2 fingers pull up on the hide with knife tip in blade up.Take your time and you will not puncture the guts. I never split the pelvic in the field.

Best of luck,
Mike
Click to expand...

I would also recommend ensuring the deer is dead before using the Butt Out tool :D
 
small (sharp) knife, insure you've cut all the way around the anus- I use gloves and then pull most of the connective tissue off w/ my hand (occasionally using the knife to free anything really stubborn- rarely)

once you've reached the point of pulling the "guts" out (should be all be one piece from the trachea down) lightly pull on the lower guts to see if everything is freed up (bladder/anus/penis or vagina) if not- pull lightly from the anus end (I have a grip on each end- using a light see-sawing action) - if still not free use your gloved hand and try and remove any remaining connective tissue- once everything is freed up it will all pull through freely w/ the guts as pictured in the above posted tutorial

fdress19.jpg


unlike that tutorial- I always split the rib cage (going just along the edge of the sternum where the ribs are attached- fairly easy going vs right up the sternum)- it aids in getting the trachea/lungs/heart out and hastens the cooling of the meat. as some have also posted I never split the pelvis in the field (unless I'm forced to quarter an animal)

practice makes perfect :)
 
bigcountry1315 said:
I only have one reccomendation. Nuy a hunters specialty Butt out tool ( around $10). You insert it in the anus cavity turn it twice pull out and cut. real simple been hunting for 30 years and this makes it so much easier. as far as gutting just make a small incision insert 2 fingers pull up on the hide with knife tip in blade up.Take your time and you will not puncture the guts. I never split the pelvic in the field.

Best of luck,
Mike
Click to expand...

Yes yes yes. Saves me from carrying a "butt hole knife" :D:D:D
 
They make a knife for cutting around the anus? That is handy!
 
I will cut around the anus, tie it off with string and pull in thru the inside. I don't split the pelvis if I have a long drag because it allows more debis in the meat and dries the hams out too much. At least that is how I used to do it if I had to transport the deer off private property. If the truck is close by, I will throw a tarp, from an old waterbed bladder since it is easier to clean later, on the ground. Lay deer on side, skin one side then roll it over to the other side removing the legs at the "elbow joint". I will then debone the deer quickly right there and never gut the animal. I don't care for the ribs. The only meat I don't get are the butcher steaks on the inside of the spine. All the meat goes on ice in the cooler. The melted ice rinses off the blood and the deer is butchered quickly at home. No mess, no bones to freeze. The skin comes home also if I am going to tan it on down the road. Oh, off topic a little. No gutting.
 
dd61999 said:
loosearrow,

No back straps!?!? That is the best meat of the deer!
Click to expand...

wrong the tenderloins are the best part of the deer. the back straps (the loins) are the 2nd best. just remember not to freeze the tenderloins cook them fresh.


i gut mine in the field and hang and do the rest, butthole and all LOL.. you dont need a fancy tool for the butthole though it maybe easier. whats an extra 5 mins to cut it out yourself? just my preference is all. i hunt with my cousin a lot and he insists on cutting my deer for me most times so i let him :D. he still thinks to this day i cannot cut my own deer haha..
 
Loosearrow is talking about the tenderloins. He said "the butcher steaks on the inside of the spine." The backstrap is on the outside along the spine. You can still remove the tenderloins without gutting the deer, but you have to go elbow deep and work blind, my FIL does it. The only time he gets the ribs is if someone else wants them. I am another one that never splits the pelvis until quartering the animal.
 
dd61999 said:
loosearrow,

No back straps!?!? That is the best meat of the deer!
Click to expand...

Yes, I call the backstraps the tenderloins on each side of the spine on the outside. If the small interior ones are what you are meaning, yes I let them go but it's quick and not near as messy. Kind of a waste but they are not that big. My way is to get the meat cooled as quickly as possible. Regards
 
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