Deer carcasses - some tips and tricks

[Conor O'Gorman]

In case useful for those getting started, click the link below for a few tips and tricks from BASC staff on dealing with deer carcasses.

Deer carcass handling - Tips and tricks from BASC staff

BASC staff provide a collection of handy tips and tricks to make dealing with deer carcasses much more efficient.

basc.org.uk

 

[Klenchblaize]

Interesting suggestion regarding the “packing out the carcass”. It makes a lot of sense if the deer in question is taken by a Sunday Deerstalker” who will be either keeping the venison or gifting to friends.

As a suggestion for the committed deer manager who aims to actually impact the out of control fallow issue in the South of England it simply won’t cut it in any shape or form. Notwithstanding the the need to shoot a lot more than one deer per week there is the issue of dealing with the remains of each beast that will be no small challenge in getting get 1m underground.

K

 

[potshotpat]

Tips and tricks, save yourself £89.

 

[TringSaint]

Interesting suggestion regarding the “packing out the carcass”. It makes a lot of sense if the deer in question is taken by a Sunday Deerstalker” who will be either keeping the venison or gifting to friends.

As a suggestion for the committed deer manager who aims to actually impact the out of control fallow issue in the South of England it simply won’t cut it in any shape or form. Notwithstanding the the need to shoot a lot more than one deer per week there is the issue of dealing with the remains of each beast that will be no small challenge in getting get 1m underground.

K

Not sure in the muddy British climate that dismembering a deer in the field is a great idea. If it’s frosty, ok. But on ploughing? Eek!

Would rather use a sled or quad for something that big - it’s why I like small deer because I can carry 3 at a time in my deer sack.

 

[Yukonmountainhunter]

Not sure in the muddy British climate that dismembering a deer in the field is a great idea.

Carrying a cheap poly-tarp is an easy way to keep meat clean in crappy conditions. Especially if you're using the "gutless" method.

 

[Overlay]

this year i’ve been using the hard plastic sheet with the turned up front piece which helps lift the nose up on the drag, used on Muntjac and Roe which is a bit over kill and more recently on fallow which it has worked pretty well, I think it come from bushwear hardy piece of plastic but I found the supplied harness and attachment Pants so I have now fitted a proper leather harness with a shorter tow strap and carabiner for the neck/head the higher D hook the slightly shorter strap length does help lifting the head to stop snagging, and gives a very positive solid pull - I may also shorten the plastic length as well as I use it more- less is better sometimes, the two securing side straps are ok but not ideal - but i’m working on that
I put the bag it come in inside the rolled up plastic with the harness and straps in with a rifle sling attached top and bottom of the bag which is perfect for slinging over your shoulder to carry with you if needed if your on a long stalk
overall a little tweaking it works pretty good and a good clean carcass

 

[TringSaint]

Being a bit of a large unit, I will carry anything up to mid size fallow bucks in the sack - makes you blow a bit but ok!!

 

[User00040]

As a suggestion for the committed deer manager who aims to actually impact the out of control fallow issue in the South of England it simply won’t cut it in any shape or form. Notwithstanding the the need to shoot a lot more than one deer per week there is the issue of dealing with the remains of each beast that will be no small challenge in getting get 1m underground.

Hire a JCB, use it to dump the carrots first then collect (or bury... ) the carcasses for best value

 

[Overlay]

Being a bit of a large unit, I will carry anything up to mid size fallow bucks in the sack - makes you blow a bit but ok!!

i’m still carrying the bad at times pain in my knee from carrying out a pricket a couple of weeks ago after I slipped and went down on a flint with it on my back
drag for me after that, having the rifle in front of you as well stop you using your hands I went down like a sack of spuds straight on my knees ouch !!!

 

[Sol]

Packing out Is the only legitimate option for myself I think, Handy tool for some that dont have the weight and strength behind them to carry or drag deer.

 

[Tim.243]

i’m still carrying the bad at times pain in my knee from carrying out a pricket a couple of weeks ago after I slipped and went down on a flint with it on my back
drag for me after that, having the rifle in front of you as well stop you using your hands I went down like a sack of spuds straight on my knees ouch !!!

Get a deer cart Phil...opppps can't mention that on here. lol

 

[Tim.243]

Packing out Is the only legitimate option for myself I think, Handy tool for some that dont have the weight and strength behind them to carry or drag deer.

Post some pictures when you next get one loaded please.

 

[Overlay]

Get a deer cart Phil...opppps can't mention that on here. lol

I’ve got the hack peck basket on the tow bar, toying with idea of trimming up a plasterers bath and riveting on 2 alloy side rails with a carabiner point each side as a drag point and a couple of very light nylon runners on the bottom
Should be rigid enough
Cheap as chips as well

 

[TringSaint]

i’m still carrying the bad at times pain in my knee from carrying out a pricket a couple of weeks ago after I slipped and went down on a flint with it on my back
drag for me after that, having the rifle in front of you as well stop you using your hands I went down like a sack of spuds straight on my knees ouch !!!

Nasty.
Dangerous hobby is stalking!!
One August a few years ago I was stalking on one of my perms and the field margin had been left as very rough ploughing, and asi stepped onto one of the ridges of mud, it gave way and wrenched my foot such that I thought I had ruptured my Achilles!

Being about 1km from the car, with a munty in the sack and not being able to stand, I briefly considered crawling. Then considered just sitting there. Finally I managed to stand and very gingerly walked back to the car - only took me an hour!!

3 months later I could finally walk again without massive pain!

Lesson learned - stay off ploughing in August!!

 

[Heym SR20]

I have cut many deer up in the field and packed them out. It’s very quick if you use the gutless method skinning from the spine down and using the skin as a clean mat. No need to get the meat grubby if you have some good meat bags, or white builders rubble bags.

Once done, break up the remaining carcass and its soon disposed of by nature and nutrients go back into the soil.

Many of the areas where deerstalking and rewilding is taking place are very low in nutrients. A deer carcass will give any new trees a huge head start.

You also don’t have the cost and mess left from Argo or Quad bike, then all the transport and then ultimate disposal of all the skin and bones.

Only downside is the dog walkers whinging.

 

[TringSaint]

I guess the only downside to breaking down on the field is that you don’t get to hang the carcass as you would normally, so likely to have a higher moisture content and the meat maybe not so relaxed.

 

[Mungo]

I guess the only downside to breaking down on the field is that you don’t get to hang the carcass as you would normally, so likely to have a higher moisture content and the meat maybe not so relaxed.

I’ve still hung the haunches for a couple days. And not really been able to detect a difference with the rest of the meat.

It’s a useful option if you’ve got a clearly gut shot animal - you can usually get the haunches, backstraps and shoulders off with little or no contamination.

 

[TringSaint]

I’ve still hung the haunches for a couple days. And not really been able to detect a difference with the rest of the meat.

It’s a useful option if you’ve got a clearly gut shot animal - you can usually get the haunches, backstraps and shoulders off with little or no contamination.

Not thought of that

fortunately I haven’t gut shot anything yet where I have torn the rumen (had a few where the round has gone the wrong side of the diaphragm and shredded the liver tho) but maybe carrying a few clean poly bags would make sense.

 

[Sol]

You could either buy a dedicated dry age fridge or if your one of the fortunate few that have a big enough fridge (or live alone) I'm almost positive this would work very well for venison for more recreational stalkers that cant afford chillers.
The only thing I would personally do with venison Is take the haunches off skin on its a protective barrier whilst it gets transported take it off at home, hair contamination shouldn't actually matter given you trim the outside off anyways.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Interesting thread with the usual differing ways of doing things.
My tally of deer is tiny compared to many of the posts on this thread but for what it’s worth I long ago discovered that when it comes to avoiding cutting the flesh during skinning a good oyster-shucking knife is perfect - the edges are not sharpened and the blade is short but absolutely perfect for separating skin from carcass.