Field Dressing Deer

Head down it's easier to work on the rear-end. But! The chest cavity is harder to clean out, and everything goes on the deer's head: guts, blood...

This is an old photo, there is a stick holding the chest open.>
I now hang the deer against the tree's trunk where it doesn't turn
so easily, and use a gambrel.

Cleaning a deer on the ground is simpler, but can be messy and dirty. (I've thought of using a plastic tarp, but haven't tried it.)

The gut hook on the Wyoming knife works a little like a skin zipper.
Make a small cut in the skin near the neck first to insert the gut hook. You should be able to pull down and open the skin all the way to the sex organs without puncturing anything.

You don't want to puncture the organs. You want the organs to fall out intact if possible. Puncturing the organs with knife, bullet, or arrow often happens. It can make a messy job worse. The meat can be contaminated which will cause bacteria to grow more quickly. It is even more important to get the meat well washed and processed as soon as possible.

When field dressing deer I start just below the neck and open the skin the full length of the animal. I'll cut out the sex organs and anus later after I have cleaned out the other internal organs. I work from the top down.

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First make a small cut, just enough to slide two fingers in. Use the two fingers to keep the skin away from the organs. Then cut your way toward the neck; cutting only the skin. I've tried to show how this is done with the paper sack in the picture.

Some internal organs, blood, and water will be coming out as you cut. Let them go until you have opened the skin from near the anus to the base of the neck.

You can open the chest with strong hunting knives, or a hatchet, but I like to use a saw.

Another way "I've read" is not to open the chest. You reach up inside the chest cavity to cut everything loose.

Either way you begin to clean out the chest cavity. Start near the neck and sever the windpipe, then work down cutting everything loose from the chest walls as you go.

Gravity will help get it out of your way as you cut. I usually end up with my legs spread to keep most of it off my boots...

Last cut out the sex organs and anus. Try not to puncture the bladder. Some say: Cut around the anus and push it in, while you also pull on the intestines. I usually cut out everything around that area.

You don't need to bleed, cut out tarsal glans, or anything else you may have heard. You do need to get this job done quickly, and get it to the processor, especially if the weather is warm.

When field dressing deer, don't forget, safety is always important. As I said, I hurt my shoulder hoisting up a good buck. Hunters have also had serious cuts while field dressing... In some areas they have been attacked by hungry bears... Don't let excitement or fatigue override your common sense.

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