Foolproof severing of rear feet to not destroy the hold for the gambrel

[little hawk]

I admit to being a bit sketchy about cutting of the hind feet of deer and not going to close to the joint to the hindquarter and thereby losing the hold on the carcass for the gambrel. Most of the time I do it without any hitch, all good. But I admit to making a mess of it other times. Is there a trick here to learn?

 

[VSS]

I admit to being a bit sketchy about cutting of the hind feet of deer and not going to close to the joint to the hindquarter and thereby losing the hold on the carcass for the gambrel. Most of the time I do it without any hitch, all good. But I admit to making a mess of it other times. Is there a trick here to learn?

Yes.
There's a very small bump on the inside of the rear hind leg that indicates the point you need to cut. It's a half inch or so further down the leg than the main bump formed by the joint itself. Feel for the small bump, cut straight across it then all the way around. Then snap.

Edit: Looking at the diagram posted below, it must be the bump formed by the tarso-metatarsal joint that I'm referring to.

 

[wytonpjs]

Post in thread 'Tips for removing fallow rear lower legs'

Sep 23, 2025

Interesting question. It was presented at 2 different best practice events I attended - issue is I have a pdf and those are screenshots. I’ll see if I can attach it…….

Sadly, it keeps on saying its too large even though I've shrunk it by a quarter to 1.6 Mb. I'll try again tomorrow using my work PC software.

Here goes.........

• wytonpjs

• 

 

[Overlay]

Guys
That’s the best info I’ve seen on breaking out the knee joint, very easy to understand and follow up


Nice job

 

[little hawk]

Thanks, this is clear now. And that you are breaking an immovable joint.

 

[gixer1]

If you half the leg just below the knee, and run your thumbnail up the leg with a bit of pressure you will feel it “bump” into the first joint, this usually works.

Hope this helps.

 

[rutland]

If you have the leg tensioned backagainst the joint when you make your cut you will instantly feel it go. If it doesn’t your not in the right place

 

[little hawk]

So tension the leg against the joint and light cut, and it will give. That is a good way to know. I have hastily cut through the hock a couple to times carelessly leaving a deer with one good hock for hanging and skinning. A spinning deer carcass is to ideal.

 

[Tim.243]

So tension the leg against the joint and light cut, and it will give. That is a good way to know. I have hastily cut through the hock a couple to times carelessly leaving a deer with one good hock for hanging and skinning. A spinning deer carcass is to ideal.

with respect you said in your intro you have been stalking 13 years etc so what have you not picked up on in that time?

 

[gelert]

 

[little hawk]

simple!

 

[JockStalk]

And I, ahem, have it on good authority that if you mess it up a well placed tie-wrap can be handy for the gambrel.

 

[little hawk]

with respect you said in your intro you have been stalking 13 years etc so what have you not picked up on in that time?

I have done it so many times correctly and without a hitch. The reason I raised it an a topic was that I occasionally cock it up. SO 95% of the time there is no problem, but I wish to perfect all that I do in stalking as I love it so much. And I admit my problems/glitches. So I write on this blog to make it smoother.

 

[Mike1979]

I have done it so many times correctly and without a hitch. The reason I raised it an a topic was that I occasionally cock it up. SO 95% of the time there is no problem, but I wish to perfect all that I do in stalking as I love it so much. And I admit my problems/glitches. So I write on this blog to make it smoother.

Good for you I think those people who make out that they are perfect are full of poop. Even the best of us make mistakes, that's being human...the sensible ones admit that ..and the others ...well I wont be rude

I tend to bugger up the joints when someone is watching...just to make me look even more of a fool

 

[Freeforester]

Feeling your way up from the foot end of the shin, the bone is smooth, if in doubt start again feeling for the bump that indicates the lowest joint. It’s all smooth beneath this point.

 

[Tim.243]

I have done it so many times correctly and without a hitch. The reason I raised it an a topic was that I occasionally cock it up. SO 95% of the time there is no problem, but I wish to perfect all that I do in stalking as I love it so much. And I admit my problems/glitches. So I write on this blog to make it smoother.

I think we all cock it up from time to time, most of the time I don't take legs/heads off until back at home as they make good handles (especially with big deer) I take the rear legs off from the opposite side to what people show via these pictures/videos as I am not one to just follow the my way or the highway trend as the saying more than one way to skin a cat.
I sheer fallow/red ribs with most using a T Saw
Glad to see you are on a .308 and not the Gay more round.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

If you have the leg tensioned backagainst the joint when you make your cut you will instantly feel it go. If it doesn’t your not in the right place

100%

 

[little hawk]

All good ways of doing it. I almost just cocked up the hocks of a fallow just shot, but luckily not. And so my post. It was late, I had been in the rain, I was tired etc. I think apply pressure pulling the leg back and lightly cutting is a good tip to find the spot positively. Yes, .308 works well, and is light shooting with a good mod.

 

[mikey223]

View attachment 444668
View attachment 444669

Post in thread 'Tips for removing fallow rear lower legs'

Sep 23, 2025

Interesting question. It was presented at 2 different best practice events I attended - issue is I have a pdf and those are screenshots. I’ll see if I can attach it…….

Sadly, it keeps on saying its too large even though I've shrunk it by a quarter to 1.6 Mb. I'll try again tomorrow using my work PC software.

Here goes.........

• wytonpjs

• 

Great illustrations thank you

 

[Heym SR20]

this is one of those little jobs that once you learn it is so simple. But until you learn its a tricky one. Removing the head is another.