gutless opinions

[oz]

skinned and quartered a deer for the first time without gutting it.  Nice.  wrapped the quarters back in the hide and drug it out 2 miles in the snow. Very Nice.  When I was done I was informed it is easier to skin on from the top (back bone) down instead of skinning it from the belly up as I've traditionally done. How do most of you do it.
thanks.
oz

[Whip]

I've used the gutless method on elk and it works fantastic.  The only reason I don't use it on deer is because here in WI we have to bring deer out whole and register them at a check in station.  I like to get the innards out as soon as possible.

[dirtguy]

A buddy of mine skins from the back bone & swears by it.  He gets almost all the meat, losing only some on neck, ribs and legs.  He brings along garbage bags and packs it out in a backpack or day pack.

[McDave]

Do you lose the tenderloins when you skin from the backbone?

[bluegrassbowhunter]

Originally posted by dirtguy:
A buddy of mine skins from the back bone & swears by it.  He gets almost all the meat, losing only some on neck, ribs and legs.  He brings along garbage bags and packs it out in a backpack or day pack.

This is how I do mine most of the time.Skinning down the back is alot easier for me..but I don't think I loose any on the neck or legs..I videoed the last one I done,wish I could get it loaded & on here..


 

Originally posted by McDave:
Do you lose the tenderloins when you skin from the backbone?

No,I still get them..

[ranger 3]

I would love to see the video

[nd chickenman]

Anytime I get into the situation that the animal is going out by the power of my legs,, I use this method.

[Gottabow]

Whip..they changed that this year.  You can now cut it up into no more than 5 pieces and I believe that you have to leave the head attached to one piece.

[rastaman]

This method works great on hogs too especially if you are by yourself!  From the back down works best for me.    

[Drummer@Home]

I saved this from a previous thread,
http://elk101.com/webisodes/gutless-video/

[koops4]

I gut mine in the woods.  Then take it home and hang and skin it.  If weather and time permit, I leave it for a couple of days and then butcher it out.

[Mudd]

I haven't watched the above video but will as soon as I return home.

I have no aversion to trying this new method as long as the  tenderloins("catfish") aren't left in the carcass and they are easy to take out.

God bless,Mudd

[bretto]

McDave, there was a link to a video on here once where a guy field dressed- butchered a Elk like this. He just reached inside and removed the tenderloins no problem.

I'm sorry I can't remember the link right now. It was very informative. You might try a search for it.

bretto

[bretto]

Looks like I type to slow.

[CG]

"When I was done I was informed it is easier to skin on from the top (back bone) down instead of skinning it from the belly up as I've traditionally done. How do most of you do it."                    

Oz, I've done it both ways a dozen times (guiding hunters as well as my own).  If I'm going to save the cape, then I will go from the back down. If not, then I'll do as you described. I haven't found either way to be easier/better for me.

[TSP]

Drummer thanks for the video link.  Does anyone eat the liver/heart on Elk?  No Elk hereabouts so just wonderin'.  If so, what's the best/least messy way to get at these organs if using this skinning method?

[bucksaw]

http://elk101.com/webisodes/gutless-video/

[NoCams]

Heh Whip,
In TN all you have to do is leave proof of sex attached if you are going to field qrtr a deer.

[wingnut]

I've never been a fan of this method becasue the pics and video I've seen people leave the neck and rib meat on the carcass.  However, John showed us this on the moose this year and we took everything.  The carcass looked like it would when I boned it but the guts were still inside.

Pretty cool!!

Mike

[Fletcher]

I've used this method with caribou, but never a deer.  The tenderloins can be retrieved by going thru the top at the last rib.  You can peel them out with our fingers.  I think this would be the best way to dress out a gut shot deer.  If I wanted the liver, I would go in thru the side at the last rib.