How to Field Dress a Whitetail Deer

I know of two ways to field dress a Whitetail Deer. The method used largely depends on how far you are from transportation and how much work you want to do once you return to your Hunting camp. When hunting, often it is wise to carry as less as possible. Aside from a good scent cover and your weapon of choice, there are a few essentials a deer hunter had better not leave back at camp! Be sure to pack a razor-sharp gut hook knife, a folding camp shovel and at least 20 feet of 1/2" - 5/8" braided nylon rope.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hunting Knife (w/ Gut Hook)
• Folding Camp Shovel
• Braided Nylon Rope 20' minimum

1. The first step most serious Deer Hunters take is to bleed the carcass. This is usually done by hoisting the carcass feet-first by a rope thrown over a tree limb. It helps a great deal to notch a 12 inch long stick and tie it between the ankles, in the absence of a metal or fiberglass gambrel. Either below the carcass or nearby, dig a hole at least as large as a five gallon bucket. Once the carcass is secured, slit the throat. Cut through carotid arteries, esophagus, trachea, spine, and allow the blood to drain (into the hole). You might want to tie the head back, to keep it clean & dry!

2. 
    
   Hunting Knife (w/ Gut Hook)

   Cut around the anus, to separate it from the surrounding muscle and tissue. Then, using a sharp Gut Hook, slice downward from the anus to the center of the rib cage. Carefully, remove the genitals and discard them into the hole dug previously. Continue by splitting the ribcage, ending the cut at the base of the neck. Avoid cutting into any of the organs, at all costs.

3. Then, spread the rib cage and gently roll out the organs. Be mindful of the rib cage so that it doesn't tear open the bladder or intestines. Cut away any connective tissue attached to the organs, as they roll outward. Place all of this into the hole and cover it with dirt. You are now ready to haul the carcass a short distance over your shoulder, or drag it to your transportation.

4. If your Whitetail hunting trip included hiking out to your hunting spot, you may want to reduce the weight you'll have to pack out. In this case, after completing the previous steps, skin the carcass from the knees to the shoulders. Remove the Deer skin with the head still attached, and spread it out on the ground, fur side down. If you are stopped by a Game Warden, you'd better have the proper Big Game tag pinned to one of the ears!

5. Work your way up, as you butcher the carcass, arranging the various cuts onto the center portion of the Deer skin. Remove the shoulders, separating and discarding the forelegs. Cut out the Tenderloins which extend from the shoulders to the lower back on either side of the back bone. Separate the rib cage, by cutting through the cartilage connecting both halves to the backbone. Don't forget the two strips of muscle along the inner side of the backbone, referred to by many as the 'tender tenders.' Now, separate the hams at the hip joints, discarding the pelvis. The entire back bone can be sectioned and placed in the hole for disposal. Separate the hams (thighs) at the knee joints, discarding the lower legs as well. Many of the remaining bones are easy to remove, in effort to lighten the load.

6. Now that you have butchered and arranged the various cuts, fold the Deer skin from the bottom up, and side over side. Tie it into a neat bundle, using your length of rope, and tie it to your back pack. Or tie loops for your arms and pack it out. You will have reduced the overall weight of a full grown adult Whitetail Deer by at least 20 pounds over the weight removed by gutting alone.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make sure your hunting knives are properly sharpened.
• 'Kernels,' or scent glands are found on either side of the base of the neck, in the 'arm pit' area under front legs and in the groin. They are grayish/white and about the size of a jelly bean. Cutting into these while butchering a Deer will give the meat a gamy taste. Avoid them!
• Fleas and Ticks will usually dislodge and crawl off of the kill, as soon as blood flow stops and body temperature starts to drop. Be sure to check for them and brush them off, especially if you will be packing out as described in steps 4-6.
• Especially if you are deer hunting solo, be mindful of predatory animals tracking and following the scent of your kill. Be prepared to defend it or give it up. Carry a fully charged can of pepper spray, just in case!
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[stichbug]

on 11/16/2009 My husband will love to read this!! great article five stars