How to Gut a Deer in the Field

After you have shot that trophy buck, now you must gut the deer to transport it back to camp. Gutting the deer in the field is not only the clean way to transport the deer, but it makes it much lighter if you have to carry it out from a remote location.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sharp knife
• Shoestring
• Plastic zip-lock bag
• Handy wipes`

Q

1. Roll the deer to its side. With your back to the deer’s head, use your right foot and step on the right rear leg to hold that side of the deer down. Place the left rear leg of the deer on the outside of your left knee. The deer should be fully spread between your legs and under you.

2. Grab one of the deer’s teats near the crotch area of the deer on the left side of the underbelly portion of the deer. Lift up the teat to raise the skin from the intestines and carefully slide the point of the knife into the deer and slide it up towards the crotch of the deer. The knife depth should only be an inch or less to cut through the gut membrane. Do not contact the intestines.

3. Cut the main opening all the way to the anal cavity. Pull the skin away from the body as you proceed. You should be able to see into the gut cavity. Take the shoestring and tie off the intestine just below the rectal opening of the deer. This will keep fecal matter from exiting the rectal opening. Cut around the anal opening, being careful not to cut or nick the intestines.

4. Slide the knife to the chest joint of the rib cage. Be sure to support the skin up and away from the intestines. You should now be able to allow the guts to fall out onto the ground. Stand with your face towards the deer’s head and grip the knife briskly in your hand and cut up through the rib cage. Be sure to thrust the knife through the middle of the rib cage joint. This area is the most vulnerable to cutting as it is all cartilage. All of the guts should be free of the deer now and laying on the ground.

5. Harvest the liver and heart and place them in the plastic zip bag. This will make it easier to clean later. Use the handy wipe to clean your hands and the knife you have used. Be sure to walk out any manmade items like the handy wipe and its packaging. Do not leave them in the woods. The guts and entrails will make a feast for the wildlife such as wolves, coyotes and possums.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to clean any metal used in the gutting of a deer, as blood will damage metal over time.

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