Atlas joint.

Point17

Active Member
Looking for advice as to the best way to remove the head off a red stag. Some say its straightforward, so I must be doing something wrong!
 
Feel behind the jaws and insert the knife behind jaws and under ear cutting outwards through the skin (assuming you've already slit up the throat to free oesophagus) Bend head backwards now while cutting further towards atlas joint and around under ears. Poke the knife into the atlas joint through spinal cord to help free it further while keeping pressure back on head and removing head cleanly.

Absolutely no need twist head round and round while trying to remove.
 
I use the base of the ears, grip tight with the knife pressed against the ears. Cut into the flesh and expose the joint. Unfortunately you need to just do it to learn, not with an expensive knife. In the side skull image you can see the proximity of the ear hole to the back of the skull. Apologies that it is such a scrappy skull - it is the only full red skull I have to hand here.


IMG_3596.webpIMG_3597.webp59096c20-09d8-40df-826f-e6b4d6243ca0.webp
 
Clean bit of tarmac, next to a drain. Mmm, I would not process anything on the ground. I'm pleased he's wearing gloves though
 
Cut the throat tight under the chin to the spine, good twist and off it pops!

Go in from the atlas of you like knife blunting hard work.
 
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