Butchering / processing question: how far up the neck?

[Kc_Kracker]

i have never seen an actual answer on this, how far up the neck are you really supposed to remove the head on big game?

[jackelope]

At the base of the skull where the last vertebrae attaches. A swift twist/neck breaking action movie maneuver will do it.

[bearpaw]

Real easy to cut off the head at the ball joint with any knife! 

[Kc_Kracker]

ok because i have had people tell me some neck meat is not good so i wasnt sure.

[snowpack]

They probably wanted it for themselves.  Neck meat is pretty good.  It can be a pain to process will all the different sheaths and tendons, but get it cleaned up, and yum! 

[lokidog]

Remove at the atlas joint/oxput. Slice with a knife on each side, the under and on top. Twist the head and cut the spinal tube in the center. It should pop right off, takes seconds once you know how to do it, no saw needed.

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I find it easier to take it off one vertebrae down from the head sometimes.  Not much, if any meat lost this way and easier to pop.   

Lots of burger all the way to the skull, but lots of cleaning as mentioned.

[LDennis24]

All the meat is good meat, just depends on how much time your willing to dedicate to cutting and prepping for different uses. Neck meat and leg meat can be stripped for jerky and fajita's. and stomach meat can be used for the same or stew meat. It's all up to you!

[Hawgdawg]

I enjoy my neck roasts as a choice cut. gravy and pic you way through the neck bones. Mom always said meat was sweetest next to a bone.