New at this

[shogan]

I'm 33 just picked up deer hunting 3 years ago. And bow hunting well that started last year. I bought a used Hoyt Mystic Rebel 26" in draw 40-50lb pull from Curtzingers in Danville. I'm short so 5'4" so I have a short draw length. To date I have got one shoot off at a deer at wildlife managment area (I shoot from ground). To date I have not come close to hitting a deer. I'm looking forward to actually taking a deer with bow. But curios as to how and the heck you handle processing in the warm days of October or do just get the carcas on ice and to the processors as fast as possible.

[shogan]

I was trying to put that under the first bow response but apparently I failed. It all made more sense under that post.

[Salty]

You correct.......get ice in the body cavity & hustle to the processor. I doesn't take long for the meat to spoil in hot weather.

Several years ago we started processing our own, I sometimes come up with some funny looking cuts, but there is 'NO' bone dust (I hate it).
We bought an old fridge for $25.00 & left it at camp. Now when one of us scores, field dress it, get on the two way & yell fer help. At camp the trusty cell phone gets a confirmaiton number & two guys can skin & quarter a deer in about 20 minutes. We just lay it on wax paper in the refrigerator, wash up & go back hunting. We always keep a couple of styrofoam coolers at camp to transport home.

Once I get it home, in about two hours & can have it be-boned, remove the fat, etc wrapped & in the freezer. I also saved $50-$60 bucks in processing fees.

You said you hunted off the ground......that can be tough. Do you use a blind?? I normally use a tree stand, but have had good success with a blind when I can't find a tree (which normally pretty rare, my hunting buddy says I'll hang a stand on an ironweed).

Salty

[shogan]

I try to find natural cover will probably buy one of those camo skirt blinds this year. Was thinking about the pup up blind but someone made a good point about how that would stick out to a deer as somthing new and unfamilair.

[P. Beyer]

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I try to find natural cover will probably buy one of those camo skirt blinds this year. Was thinking about the pup up blind but someone made a good point about how that would stick out to a deer as somthing new and unfamilair.


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When using a blind, I try to blend with the "background" to keep
from looking like a red flag in a deers living room, or from the ground I use natural blinds........

As far as the warm weather, the above post are 100%.. Just get ice in the cavity and boogie to the processor, or do it yourself if you have the means to do so. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Salty]

I forgot the name of my blind, but it is cut like 'leafy wear' suits. Turkeys seem to ignore it. Deer seem to be curious, but not spooked. I've had does come within 15 feet trying to figure out what they are seeing. I think it also helps with some scent control.

I made the mistake, in that the one I bought is so low, I have a hard time with a bow....works well with a gun though.

[shogan]

Hum will have to look in to one of those but in the tall version.

[Ky Headhunter]

I hunt public land a little more each year, probably a lot this year. Usually stay there a few days since most WMA's are too far for a daily drive. Like you, I've been wondering how to handle the meat if I get one in hot weather.

Bought a gambrel with pulleys so I can hang & skin the deer immediately when I get back to camp. Also got one of those 120-quart coolers. I plan on quartering the skinned deer, and putting it in the cooler with several milk jugs full of ice. I'll put the frozen jugs in before I leave home, then keep the cooler closed except to put deer quarters in it. Hopefully those gallon jugs will keep for at least a few days that way.

Will be the first time I've quartered one, so it should be interesting! I don't really see any other way to do it, when it's 80 degrees (or more) and I'm several hours (or more) away from home. Of course I actually have to kill one before I get to try this new system out.

Good luck getting your first bowkill this fall.

[Salty]

It isn't all that hard to quarter one......quarters, backstrap & tenderloins are all I keep. Don't think there is enough meat in the rib cage to fool with. Look at the muscle texture & the way muscles flow & follow them. When you reach the sockets just rotate the quarter off.

I'm self taught & probably not the best butcher to learn from, but I can do it quickly!! By the time you eliminate the fat, bones & grisle a 100-120 lb deer will fit quite nicely in a large cooler.

[Ky Headhunter]

Thanks for the tips, salty.

I didn't know if the cooler would be enough, but a buddy who has done this before said the average deer would fit easily when quartered.

[shogan]

Might be good to keep your frozen jugs in a smaller cooler so their is less air around them (that smaller space thing).

[Ky Headhunter]

Good idea, shogan.

Am I the only one that wishes the bowhunting mags would have articles on stuff like this?

[fishnhunt2003]

Shogan, What WMA do you hunt. I hunt the Green River. Just wondering?