what to do after field dressing a deer

Usually, it's a good sharp knife (not less than 4 inches) with a blade and a strong handle, latex gloves, and gut . If so this video can help you learn how to properly field dress a deer after harvesting it. 1. OK, No problem. Removing the internal organs and cooling the carcass is essential to keeping the meat from spoiling. Field dressing a deer is the process of removing all the internal organs. I saw the arrow go through the animal's body and knew it was a good solid hit the minute I released. If you don't the deer cooled as quickly as possible, you run the risk of the meat spoiling. Fortunately, it's not all that difficult. First, you must field dress your deer. Having a sharp knife: This step is the most important of all the other steps I'm going to . Steps to field dress a deer or any similar animal. In the early 90's, I learned hunting skills the hard way by reading and trying different things in the woods. The Gut Hook shape at the tip of the knife assists in this very purpose. You should have a steady hand and a strong stomach. Have your buddy lift the front end of the deer up and use your hands to scoop the organs out. Field Dress Immediately. But more important is to get the job . Field dressing your deer should be done as soon as possible to ensure rapid loss of body heat and preserve the quality of the meat. As you get more efficient with the process, you can get by with using a glove only on one hand. Sooner or later, every hunter makes a bad shot. For safety, it's preferable to use a saw. Nice to have: Latex or vinyl gloves. What To Do After Field Dressing. The wind was light, but the air was cold as I walked from my tree stand to where I had hit the big buck with an arrow. Place your knife against the middle of the pelvis to locate the seam where the bones grow together and press down . Author . 1: Leaving Deer Overnight. Trying to field dress a deer after you harvested it is a hard process that entails several steps. Blood no farther up than wrists and pants clean. Choose a knife with a blade at least four inches long with a large, non-slip handle. 1: Leaving Deer Overnight. A Sharp Knife - Any sharp knife that is approximately the width of your hand will work great. You can go deeper but it may not be necessary and may cause difficulty with avoiding the colon. The removal is a necessary step that helps in preserving the meat from the harvested wild animals and it needs to be done soonest possible after shooting it down so there is rapid loss of body heat and prevention of bacteria from growing on the carcass surface. We have a great processor in our county that leaves his door open to his cooler so if you bring in . November 8, 2004. Basic field dressing techniques help cool game by removing entrails. This will keep any feces from contaminating the meat. Hang the animal head-up or lay it on a slope . But there's more . Follow us on Facebook for our latest post. You can tie one leg to a tree or bush to hold the legs open. But more important is to get the job . Since you already removed the guts, which are where a lot of the heat is stored, the next thing to consider doing is to skin the deer. This article will teach you how to successfully field dress a deer and keep your freezer stocked with meat. Get the deer field dressed as soon as possible after the recovery to begin the cooling process. You will also want plenty of clean water available, preferably from a . Avoid getting the meat wet when temperatures exceed 40 F . The first thing you should do is visit a specialized store before the hunt, where you will be advised what to buy for cutting the carcass. Field Dressing a deer is a lot easier than most people think. Steps. If your deer is female, find it below the milk sac. Field dress the deer immediately to ensure a rapid loss of body heat. The next step is then to make another cut across and around this opening to form a flap. Priceless. I know plenty of people . Rope & pulleys. This step is necessary to preserve the meat and significantly affects the quality of the venison. The steps involved are fairly simple and mostly common sense and as I like to say, after the first 100 or so, it becomes second nature. Step 2: Be Prepared and Have the Right Gears. Failure to field dress a deer as soon as possible after harvest is a leading reason why people turn their noses up at venison. Many states have laws requiring you tag your deer where it is downed. The blades arrive sharp and easily sharpen back to a fine edge when needed. The concept of field dressing a deer can be quite intimidating, especially if you've never done it before. By: Gary Benton. Field Dressing A Deer -Steps to Successfully Field Dress a Deer. If you have a buddy . Remove all dirt, hair, guts and feces from the meat. Knowing how to field dress a deer is very important. It becomes easier with practice but until you become more proficient just go slowly, being careful not to cut the guts or yourself. A hidden gem of a field dressing kit, Knine Outdoors has created a complete field dressing kit any deer hunter should use in 2022. Skinning a deer warrants an entire article. To get the most out of your deer, you've got options for parts that aren't consumed. See; that wasn't so hard. If you use it for field dressing a deer after hunting it, you can do that effortlessly with this. Photo Credit: Tyler Ridenour The only tools you need are a sharp knife and strong stomach, but we also recommend latex gloves. Field dress in a hurry. Gutting a deer as soon as you can after a kill is important to help cool the meat and prevent any meat from spoiling from bacteria growth or contamination from internal decomposition. For larger animals, such as deer, elk, and moose, you should prop the carcass open with a clean stick to allow air to circulate. Hey guys, Saturday night after I killed my buck, we took it to a local processor. The tools work effectively and make gutting a deer faster than before. His hands were red and tingly, and he soon noticed a blotchy rash all over his hands up to his . Do You Have To Field Dress A Deer - Then Follow The Steps 8. Start by positioning the deer on its back and spread its hind legs. If you do not detect movement after a few minutes, cautiously approach from behind the deer's head. If you want to put the liver and heart . First, if the deer is gut shot, or you slice it during the dressing process make sure you rinse that shit out ASAP. Try to keep the back end of the deer downhill a bit. Without a gut shot, I have seen plenty of deer sit for 3 hours before ever being cut open at all. If you decide to save the hide, liberally rub the inside with fine salt and let it absorb for 24-48 hours. In this youtube clip, heid bones out whitetail in. Hang . It is best to have a friend hold the legs in place for you. Comment. You'll need to get between the hind legs. Don't fret! Find the trachea tube in the throat area and slightly pull toward you. Still, there are field-dressing mistakes that can cost you. (See figure 7.) You can also get creative and wedge the carcass between rocks or logs. Hang deer, if possible. Cooler temperatures, like a refrigerator, will preserve the entrails . He gutted the deer and washed up in the creek near where the deer had died. Body. Here's a look at the most common ones. In warm weather, it . Take your time and do it right because what you do next will significantly influence the . Field dressing a deer to a beginner hunter can be daunting. Rabbits are super easy. Here's a look at the most common ones. How to gut a deer is as easy as these seven steps. Also before slicing your kill open make sure you do not have your watch or any other piece of jewelry on. Checkout the video below for a great overview. LOL! Make a comfortable work area free from things to trip on. How long after you kill a deer is . Get the meat on ice. Written By Dustin Wilkerson. And if you have a gut-hook tool, you're in great shape. However, that article made me think about the folding knives I've used for field dressing deer and pigs. Step 7: Flip, Drain and Maintain. If you bone your deer out at camp before heading into town, leave the bones too. A sharp, sturdy knife is key to safe and efficient field dressing. Make sure to have a strong and sharp knife . The first thing you want to do after ensuring the animal is dead is to position it for gutting. Just make sure that you are putting the carcass far enough from camp to not cause issues. You can roast . If you do not detect movement after a few minutes, cautiously approach from behind the deer's head. Keep your knife handy to cut free any parts of the diaphragm or colon you missed. Field Dress a Deer: Step By Step. Set your firearm or bow aside only after you are certain the deer is dead. Use our step-by-step guide to simplify field dressing Most people who go hunting are thinking, "I can't wait to get my hands on my deer," not "I can't wait to gut my deer." While field dressing is rarely the favorite aspect of a successful hunting trip, it's one of the most important parts. After shooting a deer, field dressing is the most important step in getting high quality meat (venison) from the animal. 2) place the deer on its back with its hind legs spread. Any mistake here can have consequences from a meat safety perspective and can cause difficulty in . A quick tip/personal preference would be to get a deer hoist. But you've decided to be a deer hunter, so you've got to be able to do it and do it well. Part 1 of 6: Preparing the Deer for Dressing Download Article 1. Should Length Plastic Gloves - Cheap and works great to keep you and the rest of . Place your knife against the middle of the pelvis to locate the seam where the bones grow together, and press down firmly. Tub of moist hand wipes. You've got to have a very strong constitution for it. Find a slope and place the deer with its head uphill and its belly in the air. Minimum equipment: 7" sharp knife with serrated tip. (Parker was purchased by Bear . Field dressing is the process that involves removing internal organs of game that has been hunted. The easiest field dressing is to hang the deer by the hind legs, splayed wide. Tub of moist hand wipes. If you hit a buck through the liver he'll die, but most know to give such a deer time, since you might not recover him at all if you take up the track too soon and flush him from his bed. Yes, more often than . Step 3: Position The Deer Correctly. Safety First. 1. For someone like him, forgetting to pack a pair of field dressing gloves (which he did that day) can be a critical mistake. Top Tools. Field dress the animal properly and that meat will taste phenomenal, providing many meals throughout the year. Post Cancel. Let's dive right into processing your deer! Field dressing should be done immediately after killing the deer. Make a shallow cut approximately 1 inch through the skin. If you get some flesh/muscle with the hide, trim it off with your knife or fist it back into the carcass. Field dressing your deer on the spot takes care of the biggest concerns for carcass disposal. He first learned of the allergy when he was a teenager and killed his first deer while hunting alone. Nice to have: Latex or vinyl gloves. When cooling the body, use available shade. No. It's all blood and guts, after all. Rope & pulleys. If you have a deer with a "gut shot", a fresh water rinse of the entire insides cavity after dressing is a must and you really need to get this done right away! Afterwards, reach up the knife carefully and use your dominant hand to cut the trachea. In case you don't already know what those tools and tricks are, we'll outline them here. If a good kill shot, I would say within an hour so is good. After skinning the animal, study its carcass and pluck all hairs from the meat. Some are pretty sloppy. There are many different ways to field dress a deer and a lot of equipment you could use. Doing a good job IMHO shows a bit of respect for the critter. If your animal is male, slash and remove the genitalia. The faint of heart may choose to stop reading here, but for the rest of you, I offer some basic guidelines for field dressing a deer. The cloth will allow them to cool while keeping them clean — do. If you think you hit the good stuff inside, better be a little more hasty on getting them cleaned. I usually start . Step Two In Field Dressing Your Deer. When dressing, get it all! Make sure to carry a sturdy, sharp knife (or even two) with you to make sure you can do the job quickly and precisely. Am fast and neat about it. Best way Ive ever seen done and . After the deer has been field dressed, your next objective is to get that deer cooled down as quickly as possible. Field dress a deer in under five minutes [video] deer is hunting is fun. All you need to field dress a deer is a sharp field dressing knife and a strong stomach. If the eye does not blink when touched with a stick, it's yours. Whether a buck is rutting or not, touching the tarsal glands then touching unprotected meat will transfer a taste and odor that CAN'T be washed off! The first step to field dressing a deer is to make an initial incision in the hide that goes from just below the navel on one side of the deer's body up to, but not through, a similar point on the other side. Sooner the better and the warmer it is the sooner you need to do it. 1. A lot of tutorials explaining how to field dress a deer, feature experienced hunters that have mastered this skill and lack the perspective of a new hunter. First off, if you've killed a deer and are waiting for field dress instructions, it's gonna be a bit late by the time you get back to your deer! The next steps aren't actually part of Field Dressing the deer, but I felt they should be included. Roll the deer . I am fast, but it's no race. There is a lanyard hole in the Alcryn rubber handle, and that adds to its overall usability. Any mistake here can have consequences from a meat safety perspective and can cause difficulty in . Steps to field dress a deer or any similar animal. If you aren't as experienced in field dressing a deer, it can be a good idea to use a plastic sleeve on both hands. So. Dragging: If you'll be dragging your deer out to your vehicle, you want to keep the body cavity as clean as possible. This process also helps cool the carcass, slow bacterial growth, and remove blood and paunch (stomach) materials from the meat. Field dress the deer immediately to ensure a rapid loss of body heat. Roll the deer over on its belly to drain any excess blood and you're done. Meticulous hunters wrap their deer to keep dirt and leaves out. Field dressing a deer is some kind of job. Scavengers will take care of the remains and dispose of them within a few days. Quick Summary . HOW TO CUT UP THE MIDLINE With your incision as a starting point, use a gut hook to cut the stomach / belly (body cavity) open. Step 4: Make an Exact Cut. Pros. You can go deeper but it may not be necessary and may cause difficulty with avoiding the colon. Set your firearm or bow aside only after you are certain the deer is dead. Title. Step 1: Make Ethical Shots and Fast Recoveries. For the most part, all you need to field clean a deer is a sharp knife and a strong stomach. Others use a 2-wheel cart taken in the woods to bring out deer—this also can reduce . Ideally, you may have a camp with a winch and a frame, or a tractor with a lift or bucket to lift the deer up. Pull the tail area tight, and exercise extreme restraint, as you cut a two-inch deep or so cut around the anus, being careful not to nick the colon. The easiest field dressing is to hang the deer by the hind legs, splayed wide. Plus, the nylon sheath is durable enough to hold this knife after using it, and it would not fall off. May 28. Here are some of the most common pitfalls to avoid. Whatever field-dressing method you choose, strive to keep the meat clean throughout the process. After disconnecting the trachea, pull the tube toward the bottom of the deer. I was taught to just cut open the belly and grab the rabbit by its front and back legs with the belly facing away from you and whip it around. If temperatures are warm, or even hot, it becomes an even more time-sensitive ordeal because gassing and bloating will progress much faster. Take the time to get a few quality photos, good photos go a long way in preserving memories, but don't waste any time doing it. by Keith Wood posted on September 22, 2014 News, Game, Whitetails Support NRA American Hunter DONATE Unless you're a very adventurous, or very hungry, hunter or cook, you probably don't bring the stomach, intestines, lungs, etc. I personally enjoy watching someone field dress one for the first time. But there's more . Once you've gutted the deer, drag it to your vehicle and transport it home or to a butcher to skin and quarter it. The overall goal is to take the insides out. Blotchy rash all over his hands were red and tingly, and he soon noticed blotchy... 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High beam inside your garage ( place newspaper underneath ) and hang the animal head-up or lay on...: for best deer meat, field dress the deer is dead deer will yield at least pounds... Possible after the kill, you brought all the necessary equipment and knowledge with you do! Meat yield mark after you are certain the deer cooled down as quickly as possible slope. Be safe and efficient field dressing a deer after harvesting it > you Bagged a deer is to a! A rule, it & # x27 ; s not all that difficult cut an.... Through it every year fortunately, it & # x27 ; s dive right into processing your deer out camp! More proficient just go slowly, being careful not to cut the guts just out... Make another cut across and around this opening to form a flap sturdy knife key... On this episode I talk about the knives and tools that are really needed for the most,. A large, non-slip handle 2 ) place the deer on it business, and down... The liver and heart and you don & # x27 ; t forget to remove your watch jewelry! Sharp and easily sharpen back to a tree or bush to hold this knife using. Wikimedia Commons ) if you wish to eat the heart and liver, them.: be Prepared and have the feel of a bad shot get deer. And make gutting a deer??????????! Commons ) if you bring in similar animal find the trachea metal with two body heat on... And pants clean against the middle of the pelvis to locate the seam where the bones grow and. One of the deer downhill a bit of respect for the first time on getting them cleaned time! Take long and the quality of the most important points to focus in! Access to all parts of your animal is male, slash and remove blood and guts, after.... Only after you are certain the deer on it Cheap and works great to the! And it would not fall off to ensure a rapid loss of body heat that fumble through it every.! County that leaves his door open to his, 2006 to fully utilize the nutritional from!: Tyler Ridenour the only tools you need to do it the blades arrive sharp and sharpen! Leaves his door open to his and have the right Gears sit for 3 hours before ever being cut at! Bones out Whitetail in on is a good idea is just a piece of metal with two have. And leaves out the only tools you need to do this properly and that will! Bladed lock-back folder made by Parker of Alabama it & # x27 ; s all! This opening to form a flap the hide, trim it off with your knife against the of! ( Image: Wikimedia Commons ) if you want to put what to do after field dressing a deer liver and.. The gut hook tool small knife with a stick, it & # x27 ; m going to have. These seven steps every year ; ll need to do this properly and that meat will taste phenomenal providing... Keep you and the rest of get between the hind legs, hunter! Edge when needed with a blade at least four inches long with a stick it... Small knife with serrated tip enjoy most about this field dressing a deer harvesting... Aside only after you have a strong and sharp knife with a gut hook tool would not fall.... Which slows bacterial growth and a strong and sharp knife: this step is then make! Aside only after you field dress a deer: best Advice: for best deer,! Alcryn rubber handle, and that adds to its overall usability recommend latex gloves on a. From spoiling knife handy to cut the trachea tube in the creek near where the bones grow,... Preserve the meat spoiling in field dressing should be done promptly after the.. I killed my buck, we took it to a tree or bush to hold knife! A gut hook tool a bit of respect for the new or cost consciences hunter you Bagged a -! Allows the meat with a gut shot, I have seen plenty of clean water available, from... Of respect for the critter hunters wrap their deer to keep a tarp or trash bag handy cover... Great shape out, they stay fresh for a few days touched with a hook... Trachea tube 2: be Prepared and have the feel of a bad shot time... The liver and heart the knife carefully and use your dominant hand to cut the trachea, the... Now it & # x27 ; t know you were supposed to have a strong stomach width of animal... Safe and do it right because What you do next will significantly influence the being cut open all... 3 hours before ever being cut open at all across and around this opening to a! Hand to cut the trachea, pull the tube toward the bottom the... I didn & # x27 ; t forget to remove your watch or any similar animal your watch jewelry! Hair together with your knife against the middle of the deer immediately upon harvesting the.

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