Deer or Bear Down....now what?

[alinrut]

Kain- those videos are absolutely hilarious, thanks for posting those.
Quimby- the internet is full of information, youtube as you can see and there are even step by step printable instructions.  Don't be scared off by the videos as I think just about every hunter out there has gut shot a deer or elk or animal.  That's how we know not to do this!!!  My first "gutting" experience was on a deer that I had gut shot, I got the stuff on my hands and the rest of the time my uncle was upwind of me telling me how to cut and where to cut as he watched through the binoculars.  The gagging is unstoppable but surviveable along with one of the most memorable experiences you'll ever have hunting.

Bottom line.... welcome back to hunting, best of luck to ya, have fun and make the shot count.

[high country]

I will add if you are in a spot that requires a quartering or boneing, you can skip the whole gutting procedure......on deer and elk. the trick is to take them apart w/o cutting through the gut bag, then you can remove everything minus the t-loins, tickle the loins loose through the ribs and carefully cut them free. it saves a ton of time and mess. I like to cut my hide from the underside as it keeps 99% of the hair that gets shaved during skinning out of the equasion. it requires a blunt pointed knife with a curved blade....I use one by victronox, I have seen a swing blade that looks quite similar but much heavier.

I shot this deer on a backcountry foot camping hunt, and boned it out as follows


skin one side, get the straps clear and go for the gold!then flip it over and do  the
same again.....carefully

[high country]

sorry that I do not have pics ofthe t-loin removal, but if you know how tasty they are, you will do your level best to not screw them up!

[MIKEXRAY]

The first thing you want to do is contact a butcher either close to your hunting area or close to home. Give them a call & see if they have a weekend or after hour contact number to drop off game. I hunt the east side along Hwy 410 and have a butcher in Enumclaw which is on the way home for me. I have a cell # and it really makes me feel good to get the game hung in a cooler as soon as possible. You can also get pricing etc figured out ahead of time.
I also have a processing kit together, I hunt up high from the road so I have a meat pack all ready to go with game bags, small tarp, water, elbow high gloves, etc. I always carry a good knife, saw, & sharpening stone in my day pack. I have all these items in a big plastic tote always ready to go. The tote is because I quarter my game & haul it inside my camper. I also ice the meat down in the tote before heading to the butcher ( 2 hour drive).
I bought a video called Quarter & de-bone big game, it goes step by step how to gut, quarter, & de-bone and he is very conscientious about cleanliness, cuts of meat , & getting all of the meat. I watch it every year just to get a refresher.
Now is the time to get prepared ! A few steps now will save a lot of aggravation. Mike

[Mr T]

Hey mikexray to you have a name of that video that you recommend?

[high country]

there are many camps on how to take care of meat. I have had meat hang in the early archery season when I was scared to death, and it was actually as good or better then some of the late season kills. the key IMO is to get it cooled quickly and keep it dry. I use a time vs temp scale to judge hang times. you can get very creative in ways to keep your meat in the backcountry. I am more afraid of the long truck rides back home where the meat is exposed to the heat of the truck bed then all else combined.

don't be afraid of mold, do not leave bones in big pieces of meat unless you have opened the joints to cool. keep it dry and you will have quality meat for the table.

[MIKEXRAY]

MrT  it is called     "Quarter and de-bone big game in the field "    from seneca creek productions ( Outdoor edge ) . It was $ 10 and great info. Pretty much all you need to know I would figure. Mike

[Galpster]

There is a thread on here done by axle that shows the process start from finish. One of the best write ups with pics I have seen. PM him, he is always willing to help.

[1buckdown]

the videos were great. can't wait to show my hunting partner that has never shot a deer.  I will video him if he tags one

[Quimby]

Great info everyone.  Thank you! 

To help combat the smells associated with gutting animals is to take some Vicks Vapor Rub and place a dab or two under or just inside your nostrils.  Works wonders!  Work related trick of the trade.

[Alchase]

The guy talking in the first video sounds like William Brimly, lol