Atlas joint.

Done it lots of ways
by far the easiest is to grip an ear as a handle and cut down into the base of the ear
flip head, repeat
Then cut the throat from underneath

you can usually hit the W shaped joint on both side and the undercut allows the head to be twisted off
 
Turn the head upside down and cut from beneath. Look for where the ears appear to merge with the body and cut across the throat there. This should expose the underneath of the atlas joint. Plain sailing from there on.
 
I was dropping some deer off at a game dealer the one time and a guy turned up with 2 or 3 reds. I am always interested in what other people do as you can leave the head and legs in the game dealers bins. This guy got a battery powered circular saw out and off came said legs and heads in quick time ... made me smile 👍
 
I appreciate that using a saw is common across the Atlantic but incised disarticulation is a key aspect in the British culture of deer stalking: respect, tradition, presentation.
When I was on site with Dad building houses (as a nipper) all the chippies used hand saws planes chisel's bit and brace these days most is cut with a hand held circular saw nail gun router sds drill, so they have moved on, Ben Rigby uses air shears with the volume they get through.
 
I appreciate that using a saw is common across the Atlantic but incised disarticulation is a key aspect in the British culture of deer stalking: respect, tradition, presentation.
I sort of see your point but it worked for the guy and obviously the game dealer didnt object. I am not sure what aspect of "respect" is an issue as the deer was in fact dead and looking at the condition of the carcass I would say that it was well shot and well gralloched so whilst I dont do it I dont see the issue.

Each to out own of course 👍
 
I sort of see your point but it worked for the guy and obviously the game dealer didnt object. I am not sure what aspect of "respect" is an issue as the deer was in fact dead and looking at the condition of the carcass I would say that it was well shot and well gralloched so whilst I dont do it I dont see the issue.

Each to out own of course 👍
My only issue with using a saw is it creates one more bit of kit to clean - and not the easiest.

It’s also generally quicker using a knife once you get the hang of it.
 
I was dropping some deer off at a game dealer the one time and a guy turned up with 2 or 3 reds. I am always interested in what other people do as you can leave the head and legs in the game dealers bins. This guy got a battery powered circular saw out and off came said legs and heads in quick time ... made me smile 👍
Have seen deer in the dealers ‘drop-off’ chiller that have legs taken off using long handled tree pruning sheers & head left on!
 
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