How to Field Dress a Deer: A 4-Step Guide to Deer Field Dressing
After a ton of preparation and dedication, you’ve finally got a kill. That deer is all yours. You’ve earned it.
You smile and pump your fist in the air. A few seconds later, you’re wondering: “Now what?”
Well, now it’s time to field dress the deer.
This process could be a bit intimidating at first. This is often the most frustrating/time-consuming part of a hunt for many hunters. Of course, it doesn’t have to be this way. After some careful learning and practice, field dressing a deer becomes second nature.
What is Field Dressing & Why is it Important?
Field dressing is the process of removing the internal organs of the hunted game (in this case, deer). It’s called field dressing because you’re doing it on the field! So there’s not much out there besides what you have on your person.
You’re going to need a sharp knife with a 4-6 inch blade, some bags, and a rope. Some hunters like wearing shoulder-length field dressing gloves but others find it unnecessary. We recommend using them for your first few times.
If you have an open wound on your hand, you have to wear shoulder-length field dressing gloves along with nitrile gloves. You can’t get any deer blood in your wound or you might get a disease.
Field dressing a deer is important because the decomposition process starts right after a buck or doe is killed. Soon after a deer is killed, insects and bacteria will be attracted to its scent. Not too long after that, the internal organs will bloat up and release gases that are absorbed by the deer’s flesh. The meat that we consume can have a horrid taste if it absorbed gas.
This is why it is good practice to field dress a deer right after the kill.
Today, we’re going to explain how to field dress a deer in 4 easy steps.
The First Cut
First, you’re going to want to put the deer on its back. This whole process could go a lot smoother if you have a partner to help you out.
With the deer on its back, lift it up and slide something beneath it (a bag or rock could do) to expose its anal and/or vaginal openings. Your partner could also hold it up for you, this would work better as they can help you with slight adjustments or hold the deer steady.
Then, you’re going to use your sharp knife to make a puncture one inch to the side of the anus. Push the knife in. You’re going to cut a hole around the anus (& vaginal opening if you’re cutting a doe). Keep the knife level and pointed straight.
Retrace the same cut to slice the attached membrane. Be careful to not puncture the colon as this could taint the meat. Slide out the colon but don’t force it. If you’re having trouble, reach inside with your index finger and gently tear any remaining tissue.
Put the slab of meat in your bag if you’d like to use it as an attractant.
The Second Cut
You’re going to want to readjust your positioning to the deer. Face the rear for this next cut. Some hunters prefer to stay facing the front of the deer but facing the rear is easier for beginners.
Find the flat part of the sternum bone and cut a 5-inch slit through the hide atop the sternum. Point the knife toward the rear and hold the blade upwards. If you hold the blade incorrectly, you might puncture organs and taint the meat. With your other hand, insert your middle and index fingers and carefully guide your knife.
Lift the hide from the inside with your two fingers. Slide the hide from the sternum and into the deer’s pelvis. Remove a buck’s penis and scrotum or a doe’s udders at this point.
The Third Cut
Pull the cavity open. Locate the diaphragm and cut it from both sides to free it.
The Fourth Cut
You’re almost done! Now, with your free hand, you’re going to reach up and grab the windpipe. It’s above the lungs and heart. Carefully cut through the esophagus to make things easier.
Put your knife down and grab the windpipe with both hands. Pull it firmly. Everything should be freed from the deer’s interior. It might seem like you may need to make some extra cuts sometimes as an organ may seem attached, but try to avoid it. Just pull a tiny bit harder at a slight angle and it should be fine.
Flip the deer over and spread its legs so that you can drain all the blood.
What Next?
Now that you’re all done, you may be wondering: what now?
If you brought a dog along with you, then reward them for their work by letting them eat some of the guts. Make sure they’re used to eating raw meats!
You can tie up the deer and drag it or place it in a large bag. If you’re okay being a bit unconventional, then bring a large pillowcase. Yeah, a pillowcase. They’re great for protecting the deer from the outside world while you lug it back home.
You can also keep any specific waste for later use as an attractant.
If you’d like to bring the deer to a taxidermist, then have a talk with them beforehand about what cuts to make, where to make them, and how they prefer to have their deer cut.
Final Thoughts
See, now that wasn’t too hard!
It was definitely intimidating but the process isn’t too difficult once you break it down.
If you’d like to know how to stay safe during hunting season, then check out this post to have a great hunting season.\ \ And before you go out to apply this guide to your hunt, keep in mind that a good knife could make or break the field dressing process. Click here to check out the best hunting knives of 2022.