Hey fellas, I'm on my second year and haven't seen many deer. My recent thought on an anterless deer was 'oh crap if I shoot this thing do I remember the youtube video on how to field dress it?'. The location I hunt I'm normally the last hunter in the area after dark so I would track and pack the deer by myself. What advice do you veterans have on how to handle the field dress? The state park is cool about me tracking the deer wherever I need to or even the private farmers in the area are cool if I need to hop their fence. I'll make sure I find it. Prob I have now is if I do find it I'm not 100% sure I know what the hell to do with it. Can I just put it on my trailer rack and take it to the processor? Do I need to field dress it? If so how much time do I have before the meat is bad? They say if you "hit the stomach or pooper the meat is tainted". Help! Short of the "watch more videos or read a book" advice. Do you have good in the field advice I can use to get the animal back clean? I'm good with a doe so I can get some food for my family. Not trophy hunting. Wind is right, I spot a doe, get the opportunity, get off I good shot, make a good kill, I don't want to jack up the field dress. Nervous,.... GB (If it's easier to call then type your answer, please do.) Cell - 763 240 4545
It isn't that difficult to pull off a field dress unless you are trying to stay clean. I don't know how far you travel to hunt but sometimes field dressing is not the best option if you can get to your garage in a short amount of time. In the field be careful cutting around the anus and when the deer is open reach up and cut the windpipe the guts should just pull out after that. A roll of paper towels helps you clean up the gut cavity and your hands.
Like mentioned above it's not as bad as you think and over time can be quick and easy. The biggest thing is not to be afraid of getting bloody. Even on a gut shot there is still a lot of good meat on it specially if it is found fast and cleaned good. It doesn't have to look pretty or perfect the first times just done. Other than really watching good you tube videos you could see if someone who lives around you could help you on the first one. Where are you located in illinois?
I gutted my first deer last year, without anyone ever showing me how it's done. I kept a how-to brochure from Penn State in my pack and actually did consult it while field dressing. It is not as bad as you think. Make sure you have a good sharp knife. Rope will help to hold legs apart. Move the deer so things fall out naturally in the down-slope direction. If not gut-shot, everything will come out easily all together. Windpipe, diaphragm and the anus are the important parts. I had problems at the pelvis, ended up sawing it at 2 different places and still screwed it up. After messing around with it too much, I just said screw it, got everything out and rinsed and wiped everything down. I was nervous about it, and it turned out okay. Since you looked on youtube and are concerned about doing it right, I think you already have all the mental tools you need. Make sure you go slow...I recall a couple times I realized how bad it would be if I cut myself with this very sharp knife! Good luck!
The best advice I have ever gotten when it comes to field dressing is..."get the insides outside." I was always worried about being perfect. If you just take your time and don't be afraid to get a little bloody, you will be golden. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I normally dont field dress deer unless i have to...If its hot outside and it takes a while to get it to the skinning shed then yes field dress it. But if its cold outside we have let deer hang all night before even skinning them and the meat was fine. I personally debone the deer while its hanging so the insides stay inside and makes for cleaner meat and dont have to mess with any guts. Everyone does it different but if you can help it keep the guts inside. lol
