Field dressing

The only bad thing about field dressing a Deer is doing it in a cold drizzling rain, in the evening. The hauling it back to your truck.

 

That's what I always do too. I only pack a small pocket knife and can get the whole job from field dressing to skinning to deboning done with it. I have been known to cut a few fingers reaching in to cut their windpipe/esophagus. I figure a little deer blood mixed in your system helps you think more like a deer lol.

 

You don't milk your rabbits as soon as you kill them? Just start squeezing at the ribs and work your way to their back legs. The guts will pop right out their butt. Makes them a little lighter packing too plus helps keep them fresh on warm days if you're going to be out for a while.

 

Nope. I have seen it done one time and thought it was a weird thing to do. Yesterday one that i shot had a tiny piece of guts hanging out so instead of making a mess in my new vest i just reached in, pulled them all out and hung them in a tree. And yes....the stomach was punctured. Ugh

 

Pretty much how I do it. I always start by cutting out the butthole, then work my way up. Don't use my knife very much .I believe the membrane you're referring to is the diaphragm, but I could be wrong. Once I make the tracheal and esophageal cut at the top the rest just peels right out. Takes 5 minutes and is clean as can be. I'm sure everyone has a different way that works well.

 

I use the golf-ball for skinning. Quick and painless.

If you don't want to reach up in the cavity to cut the esophagus and wind pipe; go to the base of the neck/sternum, stick your knife in and sweep across. I use a Buck 110 or 118 and either has plenty of blade to do this. It'll usually cut everything free and no blood on your elbows.

 

I dont remember the last deer i actually field dressed to be honest. Growing up i always did as soon as i kilked a deer no matter the temp or situation. But i found out later in life you dont have to in alot of cases. Only thing you cant get it the inside tenderlions. An to be frank most people dont even eat them anyway. An there usually small compared to the outside back straps. I can get both hams,both shoulders,both tenderlions,and neck meat for jerky if i want it in about 15minutes or less if i dont field dress it. Just gotta peel the hide back and go to cutting. Hams are a little tricky getting the ball cord cut but other then that its far easier. An you just do one side at a time. I dont even hang a deer unless i want to cape it. Only way i would field dress one today is if it was hot out and i didnt have time to cut it up right then or something. But even early season if i kill a deer on my places i can usually have it in a cooler on ice quartered in less then a hr and that includes the ride to the house. Then i just dispose of the carcuss with the guts still in it. I have deer on my wall that i killed and never field dressed and the meat was just fine as well.
As far as the smell it doesnt bother me regardless. I grew up killing deer and it just never phased me. I can clean one and go right inside and eat it for dinner. You guys that are timid of the smell of the guts holler at me if you have any questions. I could teach you how to cut one up without exposing the guts.

 

I don’t field dress anymore. I get the inner loins out to. Just have to push the guts down a little to get them.

 

Not the most pleasant thing in the world.....but it has never made me sick !

 

You leave the inner tenders and the heart?
Fine eating right there mister. That is usually our celebratory kill meal.
I have had the piss bag bust, soak the inner tenderloins, ruining them. Sucks!

 

I got to laughing watching my buddy making weird gag noises gutting a gut-shot deer. Was pretty funny. A few days later he killed another clean heart shot but ended up nicking the stomach with his pocket knife. The stomach contents erupted right at his face. He got to puking and i was crying from laughing so hard. SOB moved to cleveland. I need another hunting buddy with a weak stomach. Good times lol.

 

Never had a problem. I have to admit there can be some strong aromas in certain instances....