Reciprocating saw??

[funkster]

I was just wondering if anyone has used and electric reciprocating saw for quartering elk? If so, how well did it work? Did the battery last? What blade type worked best? We bicycle in and out with trailer and was wondering if this would be a faster way to get the meat out when the heat is on in Sept!

[Crunchy]

Depending on how you quarter you animal the use of a saw is minimal and might not be necessary.  I only saw the two hind hoofs off, and the pelvic bone in two places.  The hind quarters are removed with a knife at the hips joint.  Everything else can be done with a knife.  The two front hoofs can be taken off at the knee with a knife as well as the head, cut your back straps out, tenderloins, front shoulders, rib meat, and neck meat and your done.

[BULLBLASTER]

i can quarter and revove all the hooves and head with only a knife!!!
a hatchet comes in handy if you want to split the ribcage, but not needed if you bone out the rib cage!!!

[funkster]

Yeah I have done what you are saying with only a knife more than a few times and my s30v blade works wonders, but it takes a little time when time isn't on your side. I was thinking more along the lines of gutting, chopping into thirds with cape on( head,front quarter and hide quarter) 20 mins tops. Then putting the elk on the bike trailer and getting back to camp and finish the rest of the work where I can control the temp. We usually hunt with three guys so we could get it out in one shot this way! I was just wondering if anyone has done it this way?

[Huntbear]

I carry a wyoming saw, for one purpose only.  To split the pelvic bone.  Everything else is done with a knife. 

[Roger]

Have used the saw-zall many times but always back at camp after getting it out of wherever. Works great with a wood blade.

[Huntbear]

Yeah I have done what you are saying with only a knife more than a few times and my s30v blade works wonders, but it takes a little time when time isn't on your side. I was thinking more along the lines of gutting, chopping into thirds with cape on( head,front quarter and hide quarter) 20 mins tops. Then putting the elk on the bike trailer and getting back to camp and finish the rest of the work where I can control the temp. We usually hunt with three guys so we could get it out in one shot this way! I was just wondering if anyone has done it this way?

When my brother went to Montana last Sept. for a rifle bugle hunt it was about 75-80 degrees every day.  The elk were quartered with the hide left on,  then the ribs, neck, etc.. were boned out.  The guides have been doing that for over 20 years and never had any meat spoil.  They also sprinkle large amounts of black pepper on the exposed meat, it keeps the flies from landing on the meat.

[TheHunt]

I have done exactly what you have asked three times.   It takes two batteries and one time it took two blades (I broke one of the blades).

Use a knife to separate at the knees.
Use a knife to cut the rib meat up to the spine where you are going to cut the elk in half.

Use the reciprocating saw to quickly cut in half and cut the head off at the last vertebra; this assumes that you have skinned it etc...
Stand the bottom half straight up and down and split it down the spine. Put a bag on each quarter then finish the last 8 to 10 inches of the cut.  The two bags will flop over.  Wrap the ends up and tie them off.

Put the two bagged quarters on the ground side by side and put the front half on top of those bags and split down the spine. Slip the bags on the two sides with the last little bit to cut and finish the cut.  The quarts will flop over and you wrap the ends, tie them off. 

I can do this by myself in about 20 to 40 min.   I have never lost any meat.

Now if I am miles into the nearest road.  Cape, Bone it out, and start packing.  If I had a cart to put the quarters in and bicycle out I would use the reciprocating saw approach because of speed to get it all out.

I will look at the blade I use and get back to you.  I do not remember of the top of my head.

[funkster]

I have done exactly what you have asked three times.   It takes two batteries and one time it took two blades (I broke one of the blades).

Use a knife to separate at the knees.
Use a knife to cut the rib meat up to the spine where you are going to cut the elk in half.

Use the reciprocating saw to quickly cut in half and cut the head off at the last vertebra; this assumes that you have skinned it etc...
Stand the bottom half straight up and down and split it down the spine. Put a bag on each quarter then finish the last 8 to 10 inches of the cut.  The two bags will flop over.  Wrap the ends up and tie them off.

Put the two bagged quarters on the ground side by side and put the front half on top of those bags and split down the spine. Slip the bags on the two sides with the last little bit to cut and finish the cut.  The quarts will flop over and you wrap the ends, tie them off. 

I can do this by myself in about 20 to 40 min.   I have never lost any meat.

Now if I am miles into the nearest road.  Cape, Bone it out, and start packing.  If I had a cart to put the quarters in and bicycle out I would use the reciprocating saw approach because of speed to get it all out.

I will look at the blade I use and get back to you.  I do not remember of the top of my head.

Thanks this is what I was looking for! We usually hunt 8-10 miles back on bikes behind gates! We have been lucky every time we had a elk down to get the gate opened for us. It seems like we are going to have a very hot summer and might not be able to wait for the gate to be opened and was just trying to find out the fastest way to get the meat back to camp.  My buddy just got a new electric saw and it got me thinking two cutts and we are heading out!  That would be great if you could get me what type of blade and what volts your saw is!

[bucklucky]

Go to Home depot and get a 4 pack (I think) of the Millwaulkee blades called  "The Ax" I use them all the time cutting skull plates with my 18 volt DeWalt. Works awesome for spplitting deer and elk carcasses right down the middle of the spine for hanging, well at least when you get a feild bull down and get it out with the tractor whole 

[bucklucky]

They are about a foot long too.

[funkster]

Go to Home depot and get a 4 pack (I think) of the Millwaulkee blades called  "The Ax" I use them all the time cutting skull plates with my 18 volt DeWalt. Works awesome for spplitting deer and elk carcasses right down the middle of the spine for hanging, well at least when you get a feild bull down and get it out with the tractor whole 

Thanks bucklucky! Anything that bares the name "The Ax" is worth giving a shot and sounds like it works like a charm.

[TheHunt]

I looked at the package that I buy and they are called the ax..  Good blades

[h2ofowlr]

I watched a guy cut up an elk with a Stihl 011 chain saw.  Put vegatable oil in the bar oiler.  It may cause night mares for some, but it's quick.

[CowlitzHntr]

We use a recipricating saw to quarter our elk prior to putting them in the cooler. Quick and easy. I can usually get it completed with one battery.

[HUNT]

I was just wondering if anyone has used and electric reciprocating saw for quartering elk? If so, how well did it work? Did the battery last? What blade type worked best? We bicycle in and out with trailer and was wondering if this would be a faster way to get the meat out when the heat is on in Sept!

I use a Dewalt 18 volt with a Milwaukee Ax blade (The longest they have)  for slaughtering and quartering 3 beef each fall.  Only go through one blade for all 3.  One battery does 2 beef.  It makes quick work out of it.

[funkster]

Great info guys,thanks! Now I just need to find a place for the saw on my bike next to the bow,tri-pod,still cam,video cam.. ohh you get the idea

[TheHunt]

Buy a cart for your bike.  I can give you a phone number of the guy that makes Hawkeye built carts.  The best cart you can buy in my humble opinion.

[funkster]

Buy a cart for your bike.  I can give you a phone number of the guy that makes Hawkeye built carts.  The best cart you can buy in my humble opinion.

Thanks but I already have one

[dp1175]

 try the black and decker pruning blades.  i used them on a job in seattle where the whole floor was 2x6 laid on its said  like a  giant glu-lam and  the blade ripped right through it. also the fire and rescue blade from fastenal might work good to

[ICEMAN]

At camp.....

[huntnphool]

Now why does that not surprise me Ice

[ICEMAN]

Whack em and stack em! 

[shoot-em-dead]

I have much to learn from you Iceman- I don't see you in the pic so that means it must be you behind the camera, henceforth ( I don't think I have ever used that word before)- you have clean hands and didn't have to get dirty.

[bow4elk]

I was just wondering if anyone has used and electric reciprocating saw for quartering elk? If so, how well did it work? Did the battery last? What blade type worked best? We bicycle in and out with trailer and was wondering if this would be a faster way to get the meat out when the heat is on in Sept!

Naw, don't mess with saws - just bone them out.  It allows you to cool the meat faster and you only take out edible meat.

[willapawapiti]

 I used one last year for the first time with a deer hanging at home.  Worked slick, had a little trouble keeping a straight line though!  Many times I've hiked out to get boning equipment, cart and bags. Grabbing a recip. saw to take back in wouldn't be that much more trouble and would sure speed things up.  Got out at two in the morning with my archery bull last year, coulda used it!

[TheHunt]

Buy a cart for your bike.  I can give you a phone number of the guy that makes Hawkeye built carts.  The best cart you can buy in my humble opinion.

Thanks but I already have one

You should post a picture of your cart.  I have not purchased one from Kent yet but it is on my list.

[NRA4LIFE]

My brothers used a chain saw that they claimed worked great.  Put cooking oil in the oiler.

[ICEMAN]

I have much to learn from you Iceman- I don't see you in the pic so that means it must be you behind the camera, henceforth ( I don't think I have ever used that word before)- you have clean hands and didn't have to get dirty.

Yeah...I was manning the chuck wagon making brunch for everyone, came over and took the picture. Fresh tenderloins with our eggs and taters...

[ACCUBOND]

have a knife with interchangeable 6" saw blade to cut up the brisket to get everything out then saw the skull plate off, those heads are heavy!

[rainshadow1]

I'd only use it with horses or a cart on a trail. Otherwise, I'd just use hand tools. (Nothing like a quality knife to save some labor!  )

The outfitter I guided for in MT back a million years ago used a tiny chainsaw with vegetable oil in the bar oiler. We'd field dress, mark it (Pre-GPS) and then hike out. He'd lead the pack string in, fire up the chainsaw, and be loading quarters 5 minutes later!

A good recip would serve the same way with a good wood blade. Don't skimp on the purchase though. I have a 18v B&D and wouldn't even consider it for that job, it'll last for one or two cuts through a 2x4, that's about it. I've used a 19v craftsman, it's far better, it'll probably do 10 2x6's on a battery. That'd probably quarter up an elk. I'd go DeWalt or Makita or Porter Cable, and the best ones. You need torque and battery life, you won't get either on the cheap. 

[PA BEN]

A knife, sharping steel and game bags is all you need. With the extra wt. of the bones its just as ez to remove them. The only bones I take out is the front shoulder to the hock, and the hind legs from the ball joint to the hock. If its along ride out I'd remove those bones too.

[jeepasaurusrex]

I watched a guy cut up an elk with a Stihl 011 chain saw.  Put vegatable oil in the bar oiler.  It may cause night mares for some, but it's quick.

We had to do that in I think it was 82 or 83 when they had that big snow fall. We had two elk hanging whole. We needed to break camp quick and get out before any more snow fell. 

[jeepasaurusrex]

Don't forget, battery life is decreased in cold weather.