First Independent Gralloch

[ColBaldr]

Took my first solo roe last night, but because it was my first time gralloching alone, it took much longer than expected, I shot at 8:00 PM and didn’t finish gralloching until 9:45 PM. I’m concerned about whether this delay compromised the cold chain. Luckily, I live five minutes away, so I had the carcass washed out and hanging in my fridge by 11:00 PM. However, I stupidly forgot to pre-cool the fridge and only turned it on when I hung the deer. By this morning, it was down to the correct temperature, but I’m worried about that warm window while the fridge was cooling down. On top of that, I burst the bladder during the gralloch. I rinsed the entire cavity out thoroughly with a hose as soon as I got home, but I’m still worried about contamination.

 

[takbok]

Nothing to worry about. I'll usually hang out overnight before putting into fridge.

You'll get quicker as you go.

 

[HonestJohn]

You’re fine, gradual cooling actually is best. Popping a hot beast go in a cold fridge is not what you want.

You’ll improve on gralloch time! I’m down to approx. 3 minutes on small species and 5 on large

 

[ColBaldr]

Nothing to worry about. I'll usually hang out overnight before putting into fridge.

You'll get quicker as you go.

The biggest hurdle was the anus and bladder, I ended up sawing the pelvis and pulling it all out that way but the urethra was still so difficult to understand, does it go through the pelvis bone somewhere? I didn't want to pull on the bladder in case it burst.

 

[WalkedUp]

Great effort, it can’t always be ideal but you know the meat’s provenance and so can assess it accordingly. My times were slower than yours. I’m down to <20mins for small and <30mins for large. Obviously I have some way to go to improve but I just wanted to highlight that it is a learning curve. You’ll find the time tumbles as you do your first dozen alone. In the evening they take me twice as long as the morning as I’m brain dead.

 

[75]

Don't hose it out, you'll just spread any contamination.

The further you withdrawn and trim around the anus (from the outside) the easier it will be to pull back through the pelvis (and less pressure on bladder). On a roe you prob want about 5-6" free before you try and pull it back inside.

 

[75]

the urethra was still so difficult to understand, does it go through the pelvis bone somewhere? I didn't want to pull on the bladder in case it burst.

On male deer, the urethra runs from the penis to the back of the pelvic girdle. I usually remove penis/urethra last, once you have anus etc out (then you don't have to pull a stinking rutting knob through the inside of the deer!). If you trim around the penis and then chase the urethra to the rear end, basically where the anus was, you can then run your knife either side of the urethra (left and right side of deer) and chase it back into the pelvis while maintaining some tension on the urethra. There's almost a notch it sits in - keep trimming a little at a time and you'll suddenly feel it give way and come out cleanly.

 

[ColBaldr]

Don't hose it out, you'll just spread any contamination.

The further you withdrawn and trim around the anus (from the outside) the easier it will be to pull back through the pelvis (and less pressure on bladder). On a roe you prob want about 5-6" free before you try and pull it back inside.

I get what your saying about the hose but when the bladder burst the urine went down into the chest cavity so it already contaminated the carcass, it seemed the right thing to wash it away? I understand urine is sterile luckily? To be honest the whole urine thing has made me wonder about the safety of eating this carcass but I refuse to waste this deer.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Dont worry about urine, I've done the same, eaten the tender loins after, no issues.
Faeces is another issue altogether.

 

[ColBaldr]

Dont worry about urine, I've done the same, eaten the tender loins after, no issues.
Faeces is another issue altogether.

Hmm yes unsure about this too, I did what I was taught and cut around the anus and zip tied but when I pulled it out from the other side it ripped.. i didnt find any droppings though

 

[takbok]

I would also give it a rinse if there's urine or green in the carcass.

Bladders can be really tight to extract of they're full. Removing penis and sawing pelvis is a good option if you struggle - and some gabe dealers want it split anyway.

 

[JockStalk]

What you are describing is a first and imperfect gralloch. You’ll spend the rest of your grallochs improving, some will be better than others.
Nothing you’ve described would have me binning the carcass.
My first one was worse by the way (hordes of midgies…..)

 

[ColBaldr]

What you are describing is a first and imperfect gralloch. You’ll spend the rest of your grallochs improving, some will be better than others.
Nothing you’ve described would have me binning the carcass.
My first one was worse by the way

Thanks, I was quite happy that I didnt puncture any of the internal organs (bar bladder) so thats a plus

 

[ColBaldr]

On male deer, the urethra runs from the penis to the back of the pelvic girdle. I usually remove penis/urethra last, once you have anus etc out (then you don't have to pull a stinking rutting knob through the inside of the deer!). If you trim around the penis and then chase the urethra to the rear end, basically where the anus was, you can then run your knife either side of the urethra (left and right side of deer) and chase it back into the pelvis while maintaining some tension on the urethra. There's almost a notch it sits in - keep trimming a little at a time and you'll suddenly feel it give way and come out cleanly.

Yes this was the notch I found and thought (until youve just said) it was a hole in the pelvis it feeds through.

 

[HonestJohn]

I think you should learn a field gralloch and do the rest back at home with it lying down in a cradle or hanging

 

[75]

Yes this was the notch I found and thought (until youve just said) it was a hole in the pelvis it feeds through.

It's tight between the haunches but then goes through the little notch and through the main pelvic girdle alongside the anus. I'd happily take you out and show you how I do it if you're ever up this way. Oh, and everyone does it different! There's no perfect / right way just lots of minor variations and all are fine as long as it ends up with a clean carcass. You'll develop your own preference after a few deer.

I think we've all spilt a bit of urine now and then - full bladded and small deer can be challenging but a quick wipe out with some kitchen roll (some folk use a mild saline solution) is fine. The only bits you eat on the inside of the carcass are the fillets and they have a membrane covering them. If you're in any doubt, just leave the fillets - they are tasty but pretty small in a roe anyway. All the rest of the meat is on the outside of the carcass and isn't exposed until you skin it.

 

[finnbear270]

I think you just gave a whole regiment of first timer - learner stalkers a big boost with your post.

 

[JockStalk]

Thanks, I was quite happy that I didnt puncture any of the internal organs (bar bladder) so thats a plus

Honestly, well done and I get your concerns regarding hygiene/ contamination/ cold chain.
Again, bladder and being a bit slow is nothing to worry about. You’ll almost certainly burst a bladder again at some point, but you will almost certainly also get faster.
Hang on to that desire not to kill anyone with food poisoning. Nothing wrong with that! It’s natural to be super cautious until you start getting used to where the absolute no-go/ red lines are.
Burst rumen, green soup contamination and I would personally leave it as carrion. If the fridge goes U/S and it smells high/ looks green - bin it. Maybe invest in a fridge monitor - cheap and gives you confidence in your chill.
Buy some blue roll to wipe out the carcass rather than hose down. I’ve also rinsed off urine contamination, but for general presentation would preferably wipe out with blue roll.
If you have the space/ facilities at home, consider just a green gralloch in the field and do the legs/ chest/ head when back in a more controlled environment. If that’s not an option, then relax and accept you’ve got the skills, speed will come with time.
Well done on your first one - enjoy eating it

 

[Tim.243]

Took my first solo roe last night, but because it was my first time gralloching alone, it took much longer than expected, I shot at 8:00 PM and didn’t finish gralloching until 9:45 PM. I’m concerned about whether this delay compromised the cold chain. Luckily, I live five minutes away, so I had the carcass washed out and hanging in my fridge by 11:00 PM. However, I stupidly forgot to pre-cool the fridge and only turned it on when I hung the deer. By this morning, it was down to the correct temperature, but I’m worried about that warm window while the fridge was cooling down. On top of that, I burst the bladder during the gralloch. I rinsed the entire cavity out thoroughly with a hose as soon as I got home, but I’m still worried about contamination.

With muntjac/roe they often have a full bladder and with even less room to remove it, how I got over that is to split the aitch bone and crack the pelvis open leaving you a nice easy channel to remove the full bladder.
I use a led light which I hang on the deer's leg as using a head torch as all things flying head for the torch head and get in your face, hanging the lamp from one rear leg keeps them away from my face.
I will often tie off the poo tube with a full bladder as like yours my deer are very local then split and remove with it hanging and under better light at home. A few ways to go about it with the aim to remove it by not bursting it is key.
Well done and good luck with the next.
A sharp trip knife at £20.00 is handy.

 

[wytonpjs]

It's tight between the haunches but then goes through the little notch and through the main pelvic girdle alongside the anus. I'd happily take you out and show you how I do it if you're ever up this way. Oh, and everyone does it different! There's no perfect / right way just lots of minor variations and all are fine as long as it ends up with a clean carcass. You'll develop your own preference after a few deer.

I think we've all spilt a bit of urine now and then - full bladded and small deer can be challenging but a quick wipe out with some kitchen roll (some folk use a mild saline solution) is fine. The only bits you eat on the inside of the carcass are the fillets and they have a membrane covering them. If you're in any doubt, just leave the fillets - they are tasty but pretty small in a roe anyway. All the rest of the meat is on the outside of the carcass and isn't exposed until you skin it.