Field Dressing Game - Tips and Advice

Knowing how to field dress game like deer or boar is an important technique you should learn if hunting is your game. It will help maintain the meat well and keep bacteria from developing. The method is also known as gutting or gralloch. You will find that field dressing makes everything a lot of more convenient and easy in the end. Here's how it's done.

Preparation Tools

Camping Knives Tools

You need the right tools when field dressing game in order to arrange everything well and maintain sanitation at all times. First, a clean and sharp knife is indispensable, although some people tend to prefer other utensils, like a saw or axe. You should also bring surgical gloves, which will be worn when opening up the animal in the cleanest way possible. Tie wraps will come in handy later on for internal organs and parts.

These preparation items need to be stored and carried well throughout your hunting trip. It is recommended that your field dressing knife is different for your actual hunting knife. Bring a re-sealable plastic bag to hold all clean items together and be sure to keep moisture, dust and other contaminants at bay while traveling. It is ideal to start the process as soon as possible to maintain the freshness of the meat since there are a number of diseases associated with poor preservation methods and consumption of internal organs and other parts, like eyes and the spinal cord.

The Process

Move in closer from behind the animal and make sure that it has expired to ensure your safety. Position the game in a belly up position. Use your finger to feel along the breastbone until you reach the end. Pinch the skin away to avoid puncturing the internal organs. Make a shallow cut at the end to allow a couple of fingers in. Insert two fingers forming a "V" into the gap then push up. Take the field dressing knife and slip it carefully between the V to cut the abdominal wall until the pelvic area. Your fingers should serve as a guide to protect the intestines.

Remove the external reproductive organs from the abdominal wall but do not cut it off entirely. You should take out the udder of a nursing doe immediately. Straddle the game then cut the skin from the breastbone base up to the jaw. Cut through the center of the breastbone. A saw or axe will make this step easier. Next, cut between the hams to take out the urethra. Cut around the anus including the genital opening in does. Separate the rectum and urethra by loosening the connective tissue then tie the parts off with the tie wrap.

Take out the windpipe and esophagus by loosening the connective tissue. Cut the diaphragm from the rib opening toward the backbone but be careful not to puncture the stomach. Repeat the same process on the other side. Pull the tied rectum and urethra into the pelvic bone and body cavity then roll the animal on its side. The entrails should spill out naturally from the game's body. Pull out the windpipe and esophagus as well as other entrails by scooping. Next, cut out the liver and heart.

Sponge and clean the entire body cavity before propping it open or hanging to speed cool. Wash the insides thoroughly with snow or clean water if you have accidentally cut the urinary tract, stomach or intestines. If you intend to mount the animal, do not cut the skin from the breastbone base to the jaw to maintain the integrity and full shape of the head.

Field Dressing Game - Tips and Advice

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