DSC2 question about the gralloch

[stratts]

I am used to gralloching Muntjac & Roe by suspending the carcass and unzipping all the way down to the head so the gralloch falls completely out and then cut the head off at the atlas joint! I shot my first solo Fallow at the weekend and was wondering if the same method would be ok on a DSC2 witnessed stalk?

I gralloched the Fallow by tying off the oesophagus at the neck, then suspending it with my home fashioned pulley system & tree hugger but didn't go through the sternum to reduce the exposed area of carcass, simulating the fact that I would need to drag the carcass from the wood but keep it clean (even though I could drive to extract it!) I managed ok but it would be much easier to saw through the sternum and let it all fall the same as the smaller deer.

Any thoughts either way?

Cheers

Stratts



Who needs Apex!!

 

[Monkey Spanker]

The best thing you can do is extract it from the wood before you gralloch it to a point where you can get a vehicle and carcass tray. Then there is no reason why you can't unzip the sternum as well. That way you don't have to cut through any pipes as the gralloch can stay attached to the head when removed at the atlas joint. As long as you can then get the carcass back to a chiller in a clean tray (preferably with a blood soak) in a hygienic manner, then that is all that is required.
Always best to extract to a point where you can do a clean suspended gralloch!
MS

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

try this one stratts,not what you wanted but interesting to anyone that wants to know what they are checking for,

 

[Chasey]

Id always unzip it. For "normal" stalking Id lower the carcass straight into my drag tray but for DSC2 I took a light weight body bag just in case

Iwas allowed to do two suspended grallocks the way I normaly do them but he also asked me to do one on the ground. Which I hated but it wasn't as bad as id thought.

The only point he raised was I prefer to open everything up big and he suggested a more minimal approach to the exposure.

 

[FGYT]

FOr my deer i only take out the Guts with 1 minimal Cut for extraction and take the rest out split the chest (knife) and head feet off when back at the Chiller as this is how Ive been told its to be done for my game dealer and mentor

no idea if thats DSC2 legal

and do you dig the Waste in 1m underground for DSC2 assessment as per recommended

 

[stratts]

FOr my deer i only take out the Guts with 1 minimal Cut for extraction and take the rest out split the chest (knife) and head feet off when back at the Chiller as this is how Ive been told its to be done for my game dealer and mentor

no idea if thats DSC2 legal

and do you dig the Waste in 1m underground for DSC2 assessment as per recommended

My small larder is not big enough to do as you mate unfortunately and would be a bugger to keep clean so I do all the dirty work in the field. Good question about the disposal of the gralloch as I don't carry a spade!?!

I never thought about dragging it before gralloching just assumed it would be best after due to the reduced weight!

Is it normal to be asked to gralloch on the floor as part of the DSC2 assessment?

Cheers

 

[Chasey]

Sod dragging them any distance whole, I have enough trouble dragging them when gralloched

 

[Chasey]

and do you dig the Waste in 1m underground for DSC2 assessment as per recommended

No, you use the birds of pray rule to make this unnessary

 

[FGYT]

My small larder is not big enough to do as you mate unfortunately and would be a bugger to keep clean so I do all the dirty work in the field. Good question about the disposal of the gralloch as I don't carry a spade!?!

I never thought about dragging it before gralloching just assumed it would be best after due to the reduced weight!

Is it normal to be asked to gralloch on the floor as part of the DSC2 assessment?

Cheers

most of the weight is out with the guts on the floor . The Lungs heart etc above the Diaphragm weigh very little by comparison and you cant eat them if you chuck em in a ditch in the field also easier to inspect

the Gallows are outside but no mud leaves and other stuff to get in on the short trip to the chiller still only cut the min skin needed and I dont split the pelvis etc to stop it drying out to much as i eat mine i care how its kept for the "Best taste least waste" .

 

[timbrayford]

When I did DSC 2 I had the benefit of using a larder so did suspended grallochs.

The procedure was bleed deer after shot, extract ungralloched carcase to larder (you are permitted to ask your AW for help in lifting). Suspend by back legs-open abdominal cavity, drop out rumen & guts- loosen tube to anus internally - cut around anus externally- pull through pelvic cavity- cut through sternum - slit neck up to throat, if you loosen the organs as you go cutting through the diaphragm etc. you will at this point have a complete set of internal organs on the floor only attached to the deer's head- cut off head- cut off lower legs....inspect pluck & lymph nodes, feet etc. There was no tying off involved. The main criteria was however to turn the shot deer into a carcase that had been inspected and was fit to enter the food chain, so I wouldn't worry unduly about how to do the gralloch provided the end result is achieved.

Best practice is to do a suspended gralloch if you can.

 

[bogtrotter]

My small larder is not big enough to do as you mate unfortunately and would be a bugger to keep clean so I do all the dirty work in the field. Good question about the disposal of the gralloch as I don't carry a spade!?!

I never thought about dragging it before gralloching just assumed it would be best after due to the reduced weight!

Is it normal to be asked to gralloch on the floor as part of the DSC2 assessment?

Cheers

It would depend on circumstances hill deer for example suspended gralloch is impossible, no trees, often have to drag for fairly long distances also, so normal to bleed and do green gralloch only keeping openings to a minimum, once back at larder the job can be completed.

Suspended or on the ground is a matter of choice, a larder stool is my method of choice but is really only an option once in the larder.

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Is it normal to be asked to gralloch on the floor as part of the DSC2 assessment?

Cheers

No it isn't!!
It is entirely your choice how you choose to gralloch the deer! The AW should have no input whatsoever, as he is merely the witness. As long as you remain within current wild game handling guidelines and food safety regulations, it doesn't matter how you do it. Why should you effectively lower your standards for his benefit? The sooner you can get the beast off the floor and keep it there, the better. The suspended gralloch is widley accepted as the more hygienic procedure. Just because there are no trees doesn't mean it can't be achieved either! I've seen ball hitch and roof rack mounted hoists. I've also used a hatchback propped open with sticks. Pop the central latch across the secures the hatch down and put an 'S' hook through it. High enough for a roe or smallish fallow. I appreciate that the Highlands may prove more challenging than lowland Suffolk, but as long as you can get the deer to a vehicle, there is no excuse not to gralloch suspended really. On collaborative culls that I run, we normally extract with quad bikes to a central gralloch point where we can operate safely and cleanly with the added mutual support of stalking buddies.
Oh, and I've yet to see anyone EVER bury gralloch over a metre deep in the field!! Tuck it discretely away in cover and leave it for nature to dispose of.
MS

 

[big ears]

There is no right answer here regardless of what others will say. The DSC2 is about walking the walk. You do the gralloch which best fits the conditions you are in. Yes a suspended is best but not if you have to drag it. A floor gralloch sealing off the rectum, removing all offal and not splitting the sternum is just as good if you then drag it on the understanding you will sort the head and anus later. Tied the legs and head together it is a stable drag on its back. The DSC 2 is about showing you can think out of the box and dealing with real situations you may be asked what you "would like to do" and you may say "in an ideal world I would.... but as we are here then I will have to do..."
stat safe, stay as hygienic as you can, and don't worry.

BE

 

[Essex stalker]

When I did my DSC2 I was told that I could use the larder facilities which were about 15 minutes away however the decision on wether or not to use the larder or gralloch in the field had to be mine and I had to justify why I had made my decision. I chose to use the larder as I felt it more hygienic which was fine however I was then asked a number of questions on how I would of performed the gralloch in the field if I had made that decision and what precautions I would of taken etc

 

[Monkey Spanker]

When I did my DSC2 I was told that I could use the larder facilities which were about 15 minutes away however the decision on wether or not to use the larder or gralloch in the field had to be mine and I had to justify why I had made my decision. I chose to use the larder as I felt it more hygienic which was fine however I was then asked a number of questions on how I would of performed the gralloch in the field if I had made that decision and what precautions I would of taken etc

That's how it should be - your decision.
However, if you hadn't used the larder, then you would have had to answer questions on PC's 4.1 through to 4.6 as compulsory questions.
Even if a larder is used, you should expect some questions to be asked in element 4 as if the larder wasn't there.
MS

 

[stratts]

Thanks guys, very helpful responses and the last query I had really before feeling I am ready to get the witnessing and portfolio sorted!!

As with most things in life, 90% seems to be common sense!

Stratts

 

[timbrayford]

Common sense goes a long way in DSC2 - especially if you can't remember the "correct" answer from doing DSC1 !

 

[Monkey Spanker]

The problem with common sense is.........
that it is actually not that common!
MS

 

[finnbear270]

That ironwork looks strong enough for moose!

 

[JockStalk]

Thanks guys, very helpful responses and the last query I had really before feeling I am ready to get the witnessing and portfolio sorted!!

Just get on with it Stratts - you'll be fine!