gutless method

[Clink]

I use it out west for antelope and deer.

Here is a good video from Randy Newburg where he does it on a whitetail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbnp82DWMCE

Exactly the video I had in mind. Great guy too

[PK_]

Leaving the tenders, heart and bones behind?

Those are the 3 best parts of the deer...

[jwilkstn]

Same as mentioned above for me. I keep a pack and game bags in the truck for many of the places I hunt. Even hunting the farm, however, I most often use the gutless method because we seldom have appropriate weather to let them hang, and it's faster to get the meat off and in a cooler that way.

A piece of tyvek or a couple of contractor's style garbage bags are a must for keeping meat clean if by yourself.

PK, no need to leave anything behind. Just reach in and get the tenderloins. I only started saving hearts and femurs last year, but its easy enough to get it out of three leftover guy pile once done.

[Emrah]

I've done it on private land at a buddy's place. Sure beats dragging through a swamp. But on public land here in MN, as someone alluded to it, its considered improper disposal of a carcass. As if deer that die naturally or eaten by predators somehow manage to arrange proper funeral and burial arrangements.

Emrah

[MikePerry]

That's good stuff right there

[Whitetailaddict]

I usually hunt alone and far from anybody i know so if i harvest a big deer i may have no choice but to at least quarter it. I did manage to drag one out by myself but there was snow and it wasn't that large of a body so I'm fairly certain I'd have to adapt your philosophy in another situation

[PeteD]

I have used it all the time when hunting on western hunts, whether backpacking or close to the truck. It takes a little practice but is quite easy on deer size game by yourself. Elk are a little tougher alone but still worth it. Getting the hide off gets the meat cool so much faster and definitely reduces the wild taste some complain about. Put it in coolers and process it over a few days as time allows.

I have since decided I need to do it where legal on any of my Midwestern hunts even if I can drive the truck to the whitetail!