Enigma

I've not had the surgeries but we're thinking along the same lines.

Good point. Not for me to criticize how someone does it but you're correct. Alot of edibles went into that blue barrel as well with one cut of that saw.

TY. That gives me an idea or two on the "hanging gutless". I'll give this guy props for speed but I'm focusing more right now on being methodical and as someone says on here surgical when doing this. I'm just hung up right now, no pun intended, on hanging the carcass. I doubt I'll be hanging it in the field. I'm thinking of the breakdown horizontally now, not vertically.

Just so I'm clear, the deer are brought out intact (no field dressing), hung and then skinned, quartered and deboned correct?

Exactly. Why carry anything out if you're not going to consume it or utilize it? I'm trying to adapt, hunting wise, to some life changes and it's just not practical for me now to do field to fork the way I've done it in the past. Trying to work smarter as I get older lol.

Because Biden told me I didn't have to do it if I didn't want to. And I don't want to. Tough crowd here lol! Anyway - back on track . . . I'm just trying to think of ways to get from point A to point B, dead animal in the woods to a cooler of meat on my deck in the least amount of time and with the least amount of effort. I'm getting old and weak and lazy. So at this point in I'm just trying to rethink the steps. Opening the belly on a deer I just don't see as a necessary step any longer if I'm not going to move it, cart it off or hang it at home or in the field. When I fillet a crappy or perch I don't gut them first. I start at the top (backbone) and work down toward the belly following bones, avoiding the guts. Same thing with squirrels. When I skin and clean them after a nice head shot, second thing I do is clip the skin by the spine and skin down to the belly. Guts in this case come out last only because I'm not filleting anything further. I'm just thinking a similar approach to processing a deer might work better for me now.

Appreciate the comments so far, keep them coming. That being said, I won't be gutting anything. I know it only takes 5 minutes but that's 5 min I'll be skipping. I can retrieve the heart last, if salvageable, from inside the upper ribcage when done.

I've tried this with a hanging (dressed) deer with some success. After I pop off the quarters, I think I'll try to incorporate something like this without the downward knife strokes. His example isn't exactly gutless lol.

I've watched this vid and others. I see something a little different in each one that I think will be beneficial.

Who's done it and do you have any tips to pass along? My deer processing operation was a fiasco later year and I need to change how I get the goods home to the table. The drag, hang, skin and butcher that I've always done isn't practical for me anymore. I'm really leaning towards doing the breakdown in the field and leaving all the non-edibles right there where they lay. I've cut up my own deer for years. I think I have a very good handle on the mechanics of the gutless method and the tools I might need. Just wanted to ask if anyone here has first hand experience with it and could offer up any pointers. Many thanks.

There's no need to be sorry or apologize for anything. I wasn't trying to be combative but I can see how my post had that tone. It was poor form on my part to single out you and your experiences. I'm reminded of something Culver posted once. Something to the effect that "people have different perspectives" or as I think of it "life is a matter of perspective." We obviously have different perspectives on UBC and we'll just agree to disagree. I just really think having the federal or state government overseeing the affairs at the Geff coon club get togethers just isn't going to go over well.

Once again, how did you "know" these individuals were "not allowed" to own firearms? Oh wait, because it was "widely know (sic)". This is an excellent example of group think. So you "saw" the sale? From where? 10ft? 25 ft? Standing beside? Were you part of the conversation? And did you ask to see this "convicted child abuser's" official paper's prohibiting his possession? Were you in court the day he was sentenced? Most of all, if, in your opinion, this transaction and potential threat to public safety was sooo ominous, why didn't you say or do anything to stop it or prevent its completion?!?! Did you call the police? Notify the event organizers? Pull the seller aside and tell him what you "knew"? No. Were there no other "good guys" at this event that you could have immediately told and then helped you track down those illegally possessed guns and get them to safety? I guess not.

Assuming these transactions you witnessed occurred in Illinois, and at the time Illinois did not have UBC, you witnessed a completely legal act between consenting adults under then current law correct? But somehow you "know" (knew) that one of the individuals "should" not possess a firearm. How did you "know"? Did this person have his rap sheet sewn on his shirt? Was he carrying a sign? Are you his probation officer? Was his picture in the paper? Please tell us and present hard evidence as to how you "knew" that this person was prohibited from owning a firearm. I guess you're entitled to your opinion as to if the person "should" be allowed to own firearms but soooooo many people "know" stuff that ends up being complete crap when pressed to provide proof.

I'm usually carrying a fist full of tags so I shoot them every chance I get. Not many get a pass even early.

That's just not right . . .

Venison pastrami. Brined, smoked n steamed. Much too salty unfortunately.

I ran across a young man last week that's very enthusiastic about becoming an outdoorsman. He's 11 yo. He wants to shoot archery of course! I told him I'd see what I could find for him. I havent shot traditional in 25yrs but dug up a 40# Indian Archery recurve and a bunch of other gear. I shot it some and THEN sat down to inspect it (dumb). The bow's beat up cosmetically but appears in good shape overall? One small delamination starting on the riser. This doesn't concern me. But the string pockets on the limb tips are iffy. I have a newer string in good condition. Top limb is decent. Bottom limb tip was covered with tape. Took off the tape and not very good at all. Does anyone have advice to repair the limb tip? I have to make sure this is safe to hand off to a youngster. Thanks.

Let's get this thread going again! I'm guiltly of cultural appropriation I guess lol. Jarred up today . . . Pickled Polish kielbasa and onions. Big Party and Wedding from the shop on the corner. Hot n spicy eggs from an Indian recipe. Pickled red onions from Mexico. And the flippin best! Korean Kim Chee, "Americanized". I had enough left of my "reserve" to fill two pints for a friend from a crock I've had since '18. Just the funkiest, nastiest, garlic-ginger-red pepper goodness a person could ever ask for. I dont care what color, persuasion or political thought you believe in. If we can't sit down and break bread together with something soaked in vinegar we have no hope!

Almost a bonafide boil tonight. Potatoes, corn and shrimp.

A quick update and a mea culpa. For most of my adult life I've been a reactionary ass. From my teen years until I had children not much mattered to me besides my opinion and I made sure everyone knew it. A couple of years ago I reassessed my outlook and since then have made a conscious effort to be less reactionary, more calculating and to evaluate other points of view before I speak and act. "Tis better to remain silent and be perceived a fool than speak and confirm the suspicion" is an adage I try to follow now. Last week I failed miserably at this. I reacted to something that I saw, ran my mouth and acted like an imbecile. I'd like to apologize to all for that. Especially to the owner of the display that I took issue with. A short time after I posted I realized that even though I disagreed with the message, this is AMERICA, and one of the things that makes out country great is the RIGHT to say what you want and do what you want on your own property. Peacefully of course. There was no violent, threatening or negative connotations in the lawn display but a simple show of support for a group seeking equality. The owners of the house with the display were exercising their right to free expression and I crapped on that. It was very, very poor form on my part to condemn their message and how they exercised their rights. Quite frankly I was lucky I wasnt met with a hail of bullets or a lawsuit the way people discuss issues in today's world. So, fwiw, I have made two attempts to stop by the house with the display and apologize for being a dickhead. No one was home either time. I may try one more time but honestly at this point I may let sleeping dogs lie and try not to make the situation worse.

I understood this when I took the pic.

I appreciate that info. I was not aware of that connection.

Let's not screw this story up with anything like a fact or cognitive thought my friend lol. I used photoshop a little back in the day but I ain't no artist and don't know if my new bud is either. As someone once said "I have a plan". And yes. Yes I do. After reflection I've decided it's my moral obligation to make this right. I will update you peeps when I can . . .

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family on your brother's passing. May he now be at peace and you always find a smile in his memory. Sincerely, E.

If only I had time lol. I have a job, a side biz and couple teenagers to look after. I'd have to schedule a time to "protest" with you. I do have a spare minute this afternoon though after I pound some brewskies, beat my dog and shoot my M4. I ll be on the hunt for a cheap white chair later and may drop it off at my new friend's place. I'll let you know how that goes lol.