Post by: aman on September 11, 2018, 11:53:24 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 11, 2018, 11:55:16 AM
Post by: dvolmer on September 11, 2018, 11:58:39 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 11, 2018, 11:59:15 AM
Post by: Bushcraft on September 11, 2018, 12:11:18 PM
If I find him, I'm at the very least field dressing him, but I'm probably going to quarter/bone it and stash what I can't pack out. Once it's dark, it's dark, and if I have an animal on the ground, I don't really care how late it is since I'd be packing the next day anyway. Carry a good headlamp, a backup headlamp, and some batteries and get to work!
Exactly. Get to work.
Post by: kselkhunter on September 11, 2018, 12:24:01 PM
Post by: Taco280AI on September 11, 2018, 12:25:14 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 11, 2018, 12:27:26 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 11, 2018, 12:35:24 PM
Post by: Westside88 on September 11, 2018, 12:47:43 PM
Post by: X-Force on September 11, 2018, 12:48:05 PM
Time of day really has no impact. Meat's got to cool no matter what.
100% agree
Post by: huntnphool on September 11, 2018, 12:55:22 PM
Time of day really has no impact. Meat's got to cool no matter what.
That's been my experience as well, especially with mule deer. We've tagged several in the last couple minutes of light and always get them gutted, skinned and boned out before heading back, even if we have to come back the next morning to get the rest. We have never had "gamie" tasting meet this way or had critter issues.
Plan ahead and be prepared. Carry a headlamp, knife and enough bags to do the job. :twocents:
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on September 11, 2018, 01:04:07 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on September 11, 2018, 01:25:50 PM
I guess I don't understand anyone would consider not immediately field dressing (boneless/gutless, quarters/gutless, just gutting, whatever) any big game animal upon shooting/dropping it (or finding it after tracking)?:yeah:
Post by: Bushcraft on September 11, 2018, 01:28:12 PM
I guess I don't understand anyone would consider not immediately field dressing (boneless/gutless, quarters/gutless, just gutting, whatever) any big game animal upon shooting/dropping it (or finding it after tracking)?
That's exactly where I'm coming from. The very notion of not immediately getting to work seems incomprehensible.
Post by: h20hunter on September 11, 2018, 01:32:48 PM
Post by: M_ray on September 11, 2018, 01:50:27 PM
Time of day really has no impact. Meat's got to cool no matter what.
That's been my experience as well, especially with mule deer. We've tagged several in the last couple minutes of light and always get them gutted, skinned and boned out before heading back, even if we have to come back the next morning to get the rest. We have never had "gamie" tasting meet this way or had critter issues.
Plan ahead and be prepared. Carry a headlamp, knife and enough bags to do the job. :twocents:
This! And I’ve done it on more than one occasion with Phool!!!
Post by: huntnphool on September 11, 2018, 02:07:33 PM
Time of day really has no impact. Meat's got to cool no matter what.
That's been my experience as well, especially with mule deer. We've tagged several in the last couple minutes of light and always get them gutted, skinned and boned out before heading back, even if we have to come back the next morning to get the rest. We have never had "gamie" tasting meet this way or had critter issues.
Plan ahead and be prepared. Carry a headlamp, knife and enough bags to do the job. :twocents:
This! And I’ve done it on more than one occasion with Phool!!!
Probably one of the best things you can have with you is a good hunting partner. @Popeshawnpaul took these pics in the dark while hiking/packing out. I don't think we got back to the truck until about 10pm. Yes those are stars. Pics shot with a 1968 Canon FL 55mm 1.2 lens. :tup:
Post by: h20hunter on September 11, 2018, 02:16:46 PM
Post by: jackelope on September 11, 2018, 02:30:12 PM
I guess I don't understand anyone would consider not immediately field dressing (boneless/gutless, quarters/gutless, just gutting, whatever) any big game animal upon shooting/dropping it (or finding it after tracking)?
This is where I'm at. Sure there are variables to every scenario, but if your animal is on the ground, get it gutted and cleaned up at a minimum. It's not a big deal and really, it's your responsibility to not risk losing the meat by not doing it.
Post by: jackelope on September 11, 2018, 02:33:08 PM
:tup:
Post by: Duckhunter14 on September 11, 2018, 02:51:33 PM
I guess I don't understand anyone would consider not immediately field dressing (boneless/gutless, quarters/gutless, just gutting, whatever) any big game animal upon shooting/dropping it (or finding it after tracking)?
Come on man! If you're going to be famous on social media you have to wait for daylight to take kill shots! Duh... I've actually heard stories about dirt bags who have done this; left the guts in animals over night after recovery, so they can take better field photos the next day. Despicable.
Get the guts out and/or the hide off as quickly as possible and get the meat cooling. Period.
Post by: CedarPants on September 11, 2018, 02:57:52 PM
Post by: aman on September 11, 2018, 03:07:13 PM
Reading aman's posts, this is his first season big game hunting. There's a learning curve. Let's keep that in mind here.
:tup:
Thanks guys I am trying to learn.
I will be hunting solo so I have to be a little bit more careful and especially in the dark. :)
Post by: h20hunter on September 11, 2018, 03:09:30 PM
Post by: Old Man Yager on September 11, 2018, 03:11:39 PM
If you aren't prepared to find it, gut it, and get it out in the dark, then don't shoot it at last light. You owe it to the animal. Like it's already been stated, be prepared, headlights and anything else you need.e personally, I've been out enough after dark recovering animals that I'm comfortable with it. Some aren't, and that's ok, everybody's got thier limits, but don't potentially waste meat if you're not prepared. :twocents:I guess I don't understand anyone would consider not immediately field dressing (boneless/gutless, quarters/gutless, just gutting, whatever) any big game animal upon shooting/dropping it (or finding it after tracking)?
This is where I'm at. Sure there are variables to every scenario, but if your animal is on the ground, get it gutted and cleaned up at a minimum. It's not a big deal and really, it's your responsibility to not risk losing the meat by not doing it.
Post by: huntnphool on September 11, 2018, 03:27:51 PM
Reading aman's posts, this is his first season big game hunting. There's a learning curve. Let's keep that in mind here.
:tup:
Thanks guys I am trying to learn.
I will be hunting solo so I have to be a little bit more careful and especially in the dark. :)
I have had great performance from the Streamlite headlamps, this is the one I have used for a few years without issue. https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-61052-Septor-Headlight-Elastic/dp/B00064YL7S?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1
Inexpensive and reliable. ;)
Post by: Bob33 on September 11, 2018, 03:32:48 PM
Some of my fondest memories are hiking out in the moonlight with a pack full of meat. :tup:
Post by: baker5150 on September 11, 2018, 03:42:30 PM
Once an animal is down, nothing else matters, get that meat cared for.
Post by: Dawgfather1 on September 11, 2018, 03:45:35 PM
if you shoot a deer in the last minutes of daylight would you wait until next morning to start gutting it or start immediately?
Good question. I've seen elk sit out overnight with devastating results. Invest in a good headlamp and pack. Take your time and enjoy your success. If your hunting around Whatcom/Skagit county PM me and I'll give you my cell. Be happy to help.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on September 11, 2018, 04:27:57 PM
I don't know where you will be hunting, but if you (or any other new hunter hunting solo) need help with your first animal, a post on here with your phone number and request for help will probably get results in any part of the state. Good luck!
Post by: gaddy on September 11, 2018, 04:43:04 PM
I am in the process it now camp and remember a time where it was 2:30 in the morning when we got done and hung. A good question and some good answers here. And awesome offers of help.
Post by: Lincoln4 on September 11, 2018, 05:09:12 PM
Post by: Stein on September 11, 2018, 05:12:20 PM
Fortunately my truck has yet to turn into a pumpkin. I don’t quit until the animal is on ice. Sometimes that is 10 pm, sometimes midnight, sometimes later.
If I was backpacking in, it might change, but I care too much about the meat to trade it for sleep.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: NumaJohn on September 11, 2018, 05:59:53 PM
I agree that as hunters we should do all we can to care for the animals we harvest and thus avoid the chances of meat spoilage.
One factor that the OP alluded to (and that Old Man Yager addressed) is the different conditions presented in the woods at night vs. the day. Predators are more active after daylight, and it's easier to get lost, to trip over deadfall, etc. Those are not reasons or excuses to avoid doing what is ethical, but they do raise the stakes for hunters trudging through darkness with heavy loads that are giving off fresh-meat odors into the wind.
I remember solo packing out part of an elk in the dark. At first, I was alert and worried. After I became exhausted, things were much better. My mind became focused on just getting to the rig, and at that point I was not at all worried about the boogie man, or the bear with a zeal for fresh elk meat.
John
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 11, 2018, 06:08:18 PM
Post by: KFhunter on September 11, 2018, 06:17:57 PM
Haven't done that since.
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,85984.msg1076961.html#msg1076961
Post by: Okanagan on September 11, 2018, 06:35:45 PM
Re coyotes and other critters eating the meat left overnight: I gather a small pile of branches, put the butt ends together and urinate on the tops. Then pick up by the butt end and place them around the meat or gutted animal to be left, without touching meat of course. That is a forceful statement in predator language, and I have never had any meat eaten and left many animals overnight in WA, ID and British Columbia. I suspect a grizzly or a wolverine would ignore it but other meat eaters are likely to leave it alone for at least one night.
Post by: ghosthunter on September 11, 2018, 06:38:08 PM
Goes for anyone.
Watch for our avatar.
Post by: jnordwell on September 11, 2018, 10:09:11 PM
Post by: JeffRaines on September 12, 2018, 12:00:28 AM
If you aren't prepared to find it, gut it, and get it out in the dark, then don't shoot it at last light. You owe it to the animal. Like it's already been stated, be prepared, headlights and anything else you need.e personally, I've been out enough after dark recovering animals that I'm comfortable with it. Some aren't, and that's ok, everybody's got thier limits, but don't potentially waste meat if you're not prepared. :twocents:I guess I don't understand anyone would consider not immediately field dressing (boneless/gutless, quarters/gutless, just gutting, whatever) any big game animal upon shooting/dropping it (or finding it after tracking)?
This is where I'm at. Sure there are variables to every scenario, but if your animal is on the ground, get it gutted and cleaned up at a minimum. It's not a big deal and really, it's your responsibility to not risk losing the meat by not doing it.
Came here to say this - I know the pressure is on to get an animal on the ground, but keep in mind the time and what you're willing to do/comfortable with and work accordingly. If you're honestly not comfortable trampling around in the bushes by headlamp looking for your deer after the shot, don't take the shot. Know that if you pull the trigger, you're 100% committed. You might have an all-nighter ahead of you.
Post by: Romulus1297 on September 12, 2018, 12:18:46 AM
Post by: Henrydog on September 12, 2018, 06:33:37 AM
Post by: baker5150 on September 12, 2018, 07:11:00 AM
If you leave it overnight, the coyotes will eat 99% of it.....
I've been told to lay my coat or shirt over the animal if leaving over night. The yotes won't touch it due to human scent.
Never tested the theory.
Post by: Okanagan on September 12, 2018, 07:32:51 AM
If you leave it overnight, the coyotes will eat 99% of it.....
Gather a small pile of branches and urinate on the tops. Pick up by the butt ends and place them around the meat or gutted animal. I have left many animals overnight in WA, ID and BC and never had any meat eaten. Condensed and repeated this tip, for clarity.
Post by: Jpmiller on September 12, 2018, 07:41:15 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 12, 2018, 08:01:01 AM
Post by: meatwhack on September 12, 2018, 10:43:56 AM
Post by: grade-creek-rd on September 13, 2018, 07:59:17 AM
Sarcasm aside, why would anyone wait even 10 minutes (after pictures of course) let alone a whole night to gut a deer/animal?!!!
Grade
PS. I see where guys are saying its a "good question" by a new hunter...I mean no disrespect, but I know they teach this in HunterEd (game care) as both of my boys went through it a few years ago, different programs/locations/instructors and each time there was a short block on game care and responsibility...this question makes hunters look bad, like we are all idiots...now if the question was "last light, gut it and prop it open, or skin it out too.." then I could see the "hey, that's a good question"...I know for me it would depend on if the deer was on dirt or it was raining and cold then maybe leave the hide on to keep the meat clean, or if it was on grass and warm then get that hide off and try to hang or at least put a log under it to prop it up and get airflow (then again I de-bone just about everything...even close to a trail or road...I hate packing bones).
Post by: CedarPants on September 13, 2018, 09:41:04 AM
Wait till the next day, let that sucker get all stiff from rigor mortis and bloated from the gastroinstenial bacteria breaking down the stomach contents and the hide to get nice and dry/cold so it's impossible to skin...after all, it ain't a party until you get gut juice all over your pants and dull the knife...that way the family will choke on the "old buck taste" of those backstraps...
Sarcasm aside, why would anyone wait even 10 minutes (after pictures of course) let alone a whole night to gut a deer/animal?!!!
Grade
PS. I see where guys are saying its a "good question" by a new hunter...I mean no disrespect, but I know they teach this in HunterEd (game care) as both of my boys went through it a few years ago, different programs/locations/instructors and each time there was a short block on game care and responsibility...this question makes hunters look bad, like we are all idiots...now if the question was "last light, gut it and prop it open, or skin it out too.." then I could see the "hey, that's a good question"...I know for me it would depend on if the deer was on dirt or it was raining and cold then maybe leave the hide on to keep the meat clean, or if it was on grass and warm then get that hide off and try to hang or at least put a log under it to prop it up and get airflow (then again I de-bone just about everything...even close to a trail or road...I hate packing bones).
Gonna have to disagree with you there Grade. My oldest son went through hunters ed 4 years ago and part of the game care discussion was in the case of a marginal shot (they happen, to all of us at some point) - you owe it to the animal to track it, but not push it into oblivion into the dark to never be found again. My initial comment on this thread about finding it before the coyotes do still holds true- but there are absolutely situations where waiting until first light to track an animal is warranted and in fact, the ethical thing to do.
This is an honest question by someone getting into hunting and in no way makes hunters look bad :twocents:
Post by: singleshot12 on September 13, 2018, 11:53:12 AM
Post by: Okanagan on September 13, 2018, 11:53:48 AM
I've had one animal shot at dusk and not recovered till the next morning, and it was fine. Cold with temps barely below freezing, young whitetail buck with small body mass, and it snowed an inch before daylight. I was very concerned that it would go bad but it was excellent eating.
I pulled the shot 2 or 3 inches off of my aiming point at the buck's near shoulder as he angled sharply toward me, which put the bullet behind his shoulder angling back into his paunch and offside hip. I gave him 15 minutes as it got darker, followed too soon, and jumped him within 75 yards. There was a big pool of blood where he lay, but no blood trail leading away and I could not find him. Interesting tracking job under the snow the next morning. The buck had died the night before within minutes, in full stride, and so had lain overnight.
A fork horn blacktail that was left overnight with temps in 60-70's and not found until 2:00 pm the next day was also good eating, but my read was that it had lay down and not died until about noon. A bow hunter friend hit the buck at last legal light. He could not find it in the dark and had to work the next morning so I tracked it from daylight till 2:00 PM to find it. Micro sign and we had moved it from beds three times, once the night before and twice that day.
Gut them immediately, but if you can't for some reason, don't give up on it without trying hard, the next day if needed, and until you have checked the meat.
Post by: jackmaster on September 13, 2018, 11:58:35 AM
:yeah: I can honestly say I have NEVER left an animal in the woods, deer, elk, or bear, I have always stayed until it was done and in my pickup!! The meat and the animal itself is more important than a picture will ever be!!!If you aren't prepared to find it, gut it, and get it out in the dark, then don't shoot it at last light. You owe it to the animal. Like it's already been stated, be prepared, headlights and anything else you need.e personally, I've been out enough after dark recovering animals that I'm comfortable with it. Some aren't, and that's ok, everybody's got thier limits, but don't potentially waste meat if you're not prepared. :twocents:I guess I don't understand anyone would consider not immediately field dressing (boneless/gutless, quarters/gutless, just gutting, whatever) any big game animal upon shooting/dropping it (or finding it after tracking)?
This is where I'm at. Sure there are variables to every scenario, but if your animal is on the ground, get it gutted and cleaned up at a minimum. It's not a big deal and really, it's your responsibility to not risk losing the meat by not doing it.
Post by: grade-creek-rd on September 13, 2018, 02:15:30 PM
Grade
Post by: CedarPants on September 13, 2018, 02:21:25 PM
CedarPants...my reply was in regards to gutting it in the dark vs just letting it ly until the next day (wait for daylight)...nothing to do with "marginal shots...and waiting to track it"...that I agree with, don't push a wounded animal!
Grade
:brew:
Post by: aman on September 13, 2018, 03:42:19 PM
@aman do you have any specific questions about how to handle breaking down an animal after dark, or in general? There's a lot of knowledge here, I'm sure we could answer any questions you might have.
If my understanding is correct, then the largest piece of meat has to have sex identification. Does that mean I have to cut one of the hind quarter with proof of sex and make sure that is the biggest piece?
Post by: 7mmfan on September 13, 2018, 05:49:25 PM
@aman do you have any specific questions about how to handle breaking down an animal after dark, or in general? There's a lot of knowledge here, I'm sure we could answer any questions you might have.
If my understanding is correct, then the largest piece of meat has to have sex identification. Does that mean I have to cut one of the hind quarter with proof of sex and make sure that is the biggest piece?
Yes, in general. If quartering an animal, the hind quarters will be the largest portions anyway, so don't put to much thought into it. It's pretty easy to leave a nut hanging on one of the quarters.
Post by: NOCK NOCK on September 14, 2018, 05:53:42 PM
I have left several ungulates overnight, then recovered the next morning, all were fine and excellant eating, (*one was close to bad) I have also recovered 10+ road kills some that prolly laid overnight, and ate meat from them all.
* I shot a spike elk at last light and believed it was a gut hit, so made the decision to wait till first light. It clouded up over night and temp. never got lower than 50 degrees. Upon finding it I realized it was a better hit than thought and died quickly. Zipping it open there was a slight green tinge to some of the fat deposits in the groin area, and an off smell. I skinned and quartered quickly and removed all off colored fat deposits, and the meat ended up being fine.
Care of the meat is the MOST important task, Keep it clean, or if dirty, make it clean, then get it cooled quickly.
Post by: 1851navycolt on September 15, 2018, 09:51:26 AM
Post by: Humptulips on September 15, 2018, 12:44:58 PM
To the original question, absolutely get it gutted out. Others though have talked about packing out in the dark or skinning in the dark. Thought I would relate my experiences.
Couple years ago I shot a bull elk right at dark. He took off into the dog hair with no apparent injury but I was pretty sure of the shot. I heard him cough as it got completely dark. I decided to leave him alone until morning. I believe he died soon after I left. I lost about 50 pounds of meat as a result of him laying with the guts in him overnight. This was in November. I was sick about it but looking back I don't think I could have done differently knowing what I knew at the time.
I have however left a number of bulls gutted out but with the hide on them laying on the ground overnight and seen no ill effects. Once upon a time I left a gutted out bull laying in a cool draw for 5 days before pack out that turned out fine. Not going to advise that but circumstances at the time forced it.
I have no experience with leaving a deer over night but I have to say as long as the guts are out you should be OK until morning. I will qualify that though by saying weather is an important consideration. I just don't hunt in warm weather so I will bow to the superior knowledge of those who have killed animals early in the year.
I will also add I have found a few dead deer and elk in the middle of winter over the years that I would have eaten even though they had cooled with the guts in them. I think air temp should be a primary consideration when getting an animal out but you can't go wrong by getting the guts out. In fact I am not sure why anyone would do otherwise.
Post by: Colville on September 16, 2018, 10:25:33 AM
If it's rifle and you think you've made a marginal shot... Unless the "margin" is that you hit a leg extremity, the vast majority of rifle shots, even to the guts, are fatal in the very near term. Give them 1/2 hour and pursue. If you actually bump them, fine back out and consider tomorrow. How many stories about bad shots do you hear where the animal was dead inside 100 yards? Might some of them have been down but not out, maybe... but if they chose to lay down that close to where they were hit, they were in a very bad way and likely died quickly. Risk bumping them to find out, after a bit of a wait.
Archery is another animal. Especially in early seasons, I'd risk bumping them after a wait over waiting till tomorrow get recover my rotten animal. In late seasons with cold temps and a 100% gut shot, I might think on that a while longer.
Ultimately, I think there's far more risk to losing recovery of your animal to waiting than there is to giving a little time and taking on the pursuit. Once found, I can't find any excuse for not gutting, and as said earlier by grade, why take an easy job and make it a brutal one with rigor, frozen hide etc.
Post by: Justdecent on September 25, 2018, 03:40:23 PM
Post by: buggy on September 25, 2018, 07:32:14 PM
Post by: dboots on September 26, 2018, 12:01:43 AM
Post by: fishnfur on September 26, 2018, 12:33:05 AM
Post by: sticky on September 30, 2018, 08:44:27 PM
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