Deer Hunting Home

Guide To Field Dressing Deer

As soon as possible upon finding your downed deer you should field dress it to ensure rapid loss of body heat, prevent surface bacteria from growing, and maintain overall quality of the meat.

There’s not much to field dressing a deer. For starters make sure knife is sharp before starting. If you don’t like the feel of warm blood or body parts you’ll probably want to wear disposable plastic gloves. After unloading your firearm just follow the steps below.

If you're looking at trophy buck be sure not to cut the hide from just behind the front legs to the head. The taxidermist will need this length of cape for a full shoulder mount.

1) With the deer laying down in belly up position, start a shallow just below the breastbone. Be sure that your cutting the skin only. Don’t cut into the stomach, so keep your knife shallow. Now cut the full length of the carcass down to the anus or vagina, but not through it.

2) Split the pelvic bone and breastbone using a saw or axe. Your knife may work but this step will probably dull it rapidly.

3) Now reach into the front of the chest cavity and cut the windpipe loose. Now have your partner hold the deer up by the front legs while you cut loose and remove all internal organs. If you don’t have a partner roll the deer on its side. Be very careful in this step not to puncture the stomach and bladder.

4) Wash the body cavity clean the best you can with water or snow. On a warm day place a bag of ice into the chest cavity if transporting to help keep the meat cool. Once you’re home or back in camp be sure to give the body cavity a through rinsing with clean water.