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January 2007 Feature Article:

Lighten the Load: New Approach to Dressing Big Game

Written by Jeff Filler aka Serious Hunter:

The following method of handling big game has evolved over several years. It was originally motivated by the necessity to extract animals from rugged terrain, sometimes miles from the nearest road. It has since become 'standard operating procedure', whether distant from our vehicles, or right next to. The method has also evolved as such to produce premium-tasting table fare. Basically we 'de-meat' our animals in the field. We do it to produce a minimum of weight carried out, and we do it in a way that best 'cares' for the meat itself. Read more...

Please use this area to post comments or questions about this feature article.

Makwa · Sportsman Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 315 Location: Canada

That is actually a fairly old method, pretty much the same as the Dene have been doing caribou on the tundra for 100's of years. Only difference is that they use the hide to putthe meat back into and they tie it shut and carry out with a tump line instead of a backpack as we do.

I can easily carry a whole caribou out in one go by using this method. Thumbs up

SNOWMAN0813 · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:04 am Post subject:

great article SH.

WesternHunter · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject:

It may be another method of field dressing, but it seem by using this one that you would be more likely to puncture the guts of an animal while removing meat rather than if you would remove the entails first then skin and butcher last.

Serious Hunter · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:11 pm Post subject:

Use of the word `New' isn't perhaps the best - and I acknowledge I certainly didn't invent it. But the method is definitely new to a lot of people out here in the wild wild West. I write it primarily motivated by hearing a lot of people comment and even complain about the taste of wild game - blaming the animal, its diet, whatever - where in reality a lot of the `taste' comes from field care, or lack thereof.

Yeah, especially on the front end of the learning curve, there is the potential to `poke' a bit too deep, and puncture internal organs - but with some care it can be avoided.

Don Fischer · Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:55 pm Post subject:

I didn't read the article but from responses could guess what it is. I did it one time about 10 yrs ago. I was hunting with my step son and shot a cow elk that had to come up almost straight. We got the Bronco and drove back to the house and got some good rope and went back out. With the winch cable all the way out and the rope hooked up we still couldn't get to it. So I had him get the back packs and I boned it out right there. Great way to get an animal out and you don't have to worry about all the bones later.

Sounds like they don't gut the animal but on the one I did I gutted it. Hadn't planned on doing it the way I did.

Hiker · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:59 am Post subject:

SH, Great article!

Hopefully one of these days you can show me this method first hand. Yes

I've heard this also called "the gutless solution". The tough part with the gutless method is removing the backstraps.

Makwa · Sportsman Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 315 Location: Canada

Hiker after you have done this a few times it is quick. I can completely do a deer or a caribou in this fashion, including caping in 20 minutes to half an hour. Saves packing a lot of useless bone out.

Serious Hunter · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:42 am Post subject:

And the backstraps are the easiest part(s) to extract (and can be done very first) - so much so that one is tempted to cut off a few pieces and start cooking. Hmmmmm ... next time I think I'll do that - and I'm sure I wouldn't be the first. I think I'll say to my partner - instead of just standing there - start the fire and pull out a frying pan Yes

.

You cook - I'll cut! We'll be done about the same time.

Hiker · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:27 pm Post subject:

Makwa, 20-30 minutes... Thumbs up

I need to start doing this method. SH, great idea.

Serious Hunter · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:43 pm Post subject:

walker · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:53 am Post subject:

Good article. It was greatly appreciated. Thumbs up

walker · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject:

Where can you find game bags online?

SNOWMAN0813 · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject:

brand new king size pillow cases work well,so I'm told.

Serious Hunter · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject:

I like the breathable cloth `sock' like game bags. If you shop around you should be able to find something affordable. I buy them locally - I'll look on line later on tonight. They are re-usable, with a bit of care. The person doing the laundry may ask "What is this?" ... but they'll get used to it. I drop the meat in and tie the end ... sometimes the knot is un-manageable, so I cut it off - and still re-use it as long as I have not cut off too much.