9 replies to this topic

[zippy1970]

I am VERY wanting to get a deer tag . The areas I go to , public & private , have deer there ( maybe because I do not have tags ) . But I have have eaten deer & like it . Is there any downside to buying a tag ? I know that I may not get a deer but by buying one now & poss over the years , do I not get " points " for other draw areas ? I am still trying to get min gear together . I know after shooting / killing , tag it . Then gut it asap to cool it down . Wrap it in a game bag to keep bugs out . Ice / chill the chest cavity to cool it down . Does it have to be hung to be gutted ? I do not have to skin it in the field do I ? Was looking to take it to a friend or a butcher . If I want to get a mount out of the head what do I need to do to preserve it ? If any thing ? Have : 41 MAG for shooting Rope for pulling / hanging deer . Shovel . need to bury guts , correct ? Sharp knife Need : Game bag I am not expecting to get anything but a workout & some " scouting " done but " what if ? " Thats why I want to be prepared . Any other suggestions needed . Andy

[mtn dog]

[DirtyDave]

No downside to buying a tag. Other than you will be out the cost of the tag.Some tags are Premium tags and you have to put in for the drawng (already done this year). Other tags are OTC. Here is a list of available tags. http://nrm.dfg.ca.go...amp;inline=trueEverybody has a different procedure for "after the kill". A lot of it depends on your location, distance from camp/vehicle, terrain, etc. All I can tell you is what works for me.1. Gut the deer on the ground @ the kill sight, then stitch the cavity closed to keep the inside clean. No need to bury guts. Keep Heart and Liver in a ziplock.2. I carry the deer over my shoulders, firemans carry style, back to camp/vehicle.3. Hang it by back legs on a Gambrel and skin it. Most butchers wont take a deer with the skin on it.I have a fridge in the garage, take the shelves out and stick the whole deer in the fridge for a few days. I butcher the deer myself.

[4RHUNTS]

And don't forget to go lead free if need be.

[zippy1970]

4RHUNTS : yep lead free . I got some & figured I'd use them . DDAve : I have seen the updated , the the date , DFG site for tags & can get one . Just figure less beer , 1 less tank o gas for the week , etc for the cost . I was going to ask about the heart & liver . Thank you . I have seen " processing " videos on Youtube but not " gutting " . I did watch a video on Bear we had looping in the store I worked . Cut around Anus , slit throat all the way through & PULL !!! Not sure if that will work as I see pics have the chest cavity open for cooling . Also read the sticky & most in my area want the hide off . Baja : Thanks for the Butchering tutorial .. Andy

[terrace]

if you are going to carry the deer over your shoulders you might want to spray some flea and tick killer on the deer first

[beniflas]

And throw an orange vest over it....you don't want to be mistaken for one.

[Karl]

Exactly! A deer over the shoulder will get you a round in the back!The last thing you want to do in the woods is look like a deer.

[Frank]

Yes, what Karl said...We always either dragged our deer out or de-boned it & put it in back packs & carried it out. Depending on the situation... how far away from the vehicle &/or rough the country was. Usually de-boning seemed to work the best. There used to be some excellent videos (now probably dvd's) on deboning deer, but it has been many years since I saw one. Frank

[zippy1970]

I have deboned Beef & Lamb . What kills me is that my " walk in " hook up no longer works there . So no walk in . Looks like I will need a " Grambel " (?) not sure if that was the right word . Was looking at dragging or getting the " wheeled " rig to take it back . If on PP , use a Quad to get it out . I was wondering about the heart & liver but was told to " package & ice " separately . Andy