{"id":210517,"date":"2025-09-01T20:00:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T01:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=210517"},"modified":"2025-09-23T06:45:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T11:45:12","slug":"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\/","title":{"rendered":"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-estimated-reading-time yoast-reading-time__wrapper\"><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-icon=\"clock\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.1em\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M12 8v4l3 3m6-3a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__spacer\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:1em\"><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__descriptive-text\">Estimated reading time: <\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__reading-time\">11<\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__time-unit\"> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/whitetail-buck-rifle-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"whitetail  buck with suppressed rifle\" class=\"wp-image-210519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/whitetail-buck-rifle-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/whitetail-buck-rifle-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/whitetail-buck-rifle-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/whitetail-buck-rifle-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/whitetail-buck-rifle.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing we like more than a freezer full of venison, but there are steps between the moment you shoot your deer and when you can cook it. Whether you\u2019re taking your deer to a processor or handling processing at home, you\u2019re going to need to field dress it. When you\u2019re a new hunter, this might seem like a daunting task, but it\u2019s relatively straightforward. Check out these tips for field dressing your deer for the best possible results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/buck-hunting-texas-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"buck down in texas\" class=\"wp-image-210520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/buck-hunting-texas-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/buck-hunting-texas-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/buck-hunting-texas-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/buck-hunting-texas-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/buck-hunting-texas.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">So you got your deer, and here he is&#8211;now what? We have some field dressing tips for you.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-step-one-collect-your-field-dressing-gear\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step One: Collect Your Field Dressing Gear<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#h-knives-and-gloves\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"3\">Knives and Gloves<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-two-position-your-deer\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step Two: Position Your Deer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-three-cut-around-the-anus\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step Three: Cut Around the Anus<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-four-make-the-long-cut-down-the-abdomen\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step Four: Make the Long Cut Down the Abdomen<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#h-bottom-to-top-cut\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"3\">Bottom-To-Top Cut<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-sex-organs\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"3\">Sex Organs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-five-begin-the-process-of-removing-internal-organs\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step Five: Begin the Process of Removing Internal Organs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-six-cut-the-diaphragm\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step Six: Cut the Diaphragm<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-seven-cut-the-trachea\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step Seven: Cut the Trachea<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-eight-remove-internal-organs-completely\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step Eight: Remove Internal Organs Completely<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-step-nine-drain-pooled-blood-you-re-done-field-dressing\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Step Nine: Drain Pooled Blood &#8211; You&#8217;re Done Field Dressing!<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-bonus-round-field-dressing-hogs\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-level=\"2\">Bonus Round: Field Dressing Hogs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-one-collect-your-field-dressing-gear\">Step One: Collect Your Field Dressing Gear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need much to field dress a deer, but there are a few things you\u2019ll need on hand. To make this simpler, I keep a small bag of gear in my truck that\u2019s only for field dressing (whether that\u2019s deer, hogs, or whatever). Here\u2019s what I keep stocked in mine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nitrile gloves (get the correct size)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Field dressing knife with removable blade<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extra blades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Needle-nose pliers (for injury-free blade changes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gallon Ziploc bags (for any smaller parts you want to save on the spot, such as the heart or liver)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zip ties (for attaching tags)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Headlamp (for easier field dressing in the dark)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bottle(s) of water (to rinse hands or parts of the carcass)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Handheld flashlight (for tracking or extra light)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-knives-and-gloves\">Knives and Gloves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of this list, the most important items are the knife and gloves. A lot of hunters don\u2019t wear gloves, and that\u2019s okay. I don\u2019t always remember them myself, but it\u2019s still a good idea to wear them. If they\u2019re knife-resistant, all the better. You might be surprised by the infections you can get if you slip and cut yourself with a dirty knife. Wearing at least nitrile gloves gives you a basic barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/field-dressing-knife-gloves-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"mossy oak knife and gloves\" class=\"wp-image-210521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/field-dressing-knife-gloves-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/field-dressing-knife-gloves-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/field-dressing-knife-gloves-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/field-dressing-knife-gloves-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/field-dressing-knife-gloves.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A good knife and a pair of gloves are the top two items to keep around for field dressing. And don&#8217;t forget the extra blades! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding the knife, there are a lot of different dressing knives. I\u2019ve used more styles than I can keep track of, but my personal favorites are the smaller, more maneuverable styles with removable blades. Whether they\u2019re fixed or folding is also personal preference, but if it\u2019s a <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/steel-will-gekko-1505\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"101\">folding knife<\/a>, make sure it has a reliable locking mechanism (most do). Smaller blades tend to be easier to handle and reduce the risk of puncturing something you\u2019d rather not, but I\u2019ve used larger blades with zero issues as well. Find what works for you and stick with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-two-position-your-deer\">Step Two: Position Your Deer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re going to be choosing between field dressing on the ground or hanging your deer. Usually, you\u2019re going to be dressing on the ground. The exception is that you have a setup like I do, which includes a gambrel and a host that fits into the receiver hitch of your truck. Moultrie\u2019s Packable Hoist and Gambrel is great for this and comes with two different length hooks for the hind legs. And because it\u2019s packable, you don\u2019t technically have to have a hitch hoist on your truck\u2014it could be hung from a tree. For our purposes here, let\u2019s assume you\u2019re field dressing on the ground. That means rolling the deer onto its back, exposing its abdomen. Assuming you&#8217;re alone, use your knees to brace the hind legs apart so the deer stays on its back with its abdomen exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-three-cut-around-the-anus\">Step Three: Cut Around the Anus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first cut you\u2019ll make is around the anus. This is important because you don\u2019t want to spill fecal matter into the body cavity as you field dress. When you ring the anus, you\u2019ll need to cut approximately six inches deep and completely sever the external skin. It\u2019s thicker than you might expect. Take care not to puncture the intestine\u2014this is where a slimmer blade is useful\u2014and cut far enough from the opening that you create a clear path. You may have to make more than one pass around the anus to ensure it\u2019s free. Once it\u2019s free, you can leave it as-is or tie the end off with string. Some hunters do that to be doubly sure fecal matter stays in the intestine, but it\u2019s not a must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"823\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/abdominal-wall-field-dress-deer-1024x823.jpg\" alt=\"abdominal wall of deer\" class=\"wp-image-210522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/abdominal-wall-field-dress-deer-1024x823.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/abdominal-wall-field-dress-deer-373x300.jpg 373w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/abdominal-wall-field-dress-deer-150x121.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/abdominal-wall-field-dress-deer-768x617.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/abdominal-wall-field-dress-deer.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Here you can see the hide and abdominal wall held back. There&#8217;s also a thin membrane containing the internal organs. Take care not to puncture organs as you cut.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-four-make-the-long-cut-down-the-abdomen\">Step Four: Make the Long Cut Down the Abdomen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Next up is the part you might be most nervous about due to concerns over poking holes in the stomach or intestines. You\u2019ll be making the biggest cut that stretches from the deer\u2019s sternum to the anus. It\u2019s your choice whether you make this cut top-to-bottom or vice versa. Both methods work. The benefit of starting at the sternum is that it helps you better guard against inadvertently cutting the internal organs. On the other hand, starting at the anus makes it simpler to use your off hand to keep the skin lifted as you cut\u2014and it lets you cut away from yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bottom-to-top-cut\">Bottom-To-Top Cut<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re starting at the anus, you\u2019re started at the bottom of the abdomen rather han immediately above the anus. You\u2019ll make your initial, small cut there to give yourself better access to handle the rest of the cut. The goal is to make a cut approximately two or three inches in length that gets you through the hide and abdominal wall. If you only get through the hide on your first pass, that\u2019s okay. Simply make a second cut to get through the abdominal wall, taking care not to puncture any of the organs below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To cut up to the sternum, you can use your off-hand to lift the hide and abdominal wall up and away from the abdominal cavity. Then you simply slice, with the sharp edge of the blade turned upward, not down into the cavity. There\u2019s no rush, so feel free to take your time. Alternatively, you can use your off-hand fingers to form a \u201cV\u201d to lift the hide, placing the knife between those fingers (with the blade facing away, of course). The internal organs are going to bulge upward as you cut, so go slow enough to keep track and ensure the blade doesn\u2019t go deep enough to slice anything you\u2019d rather avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sex-organs\">Sex Organs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A note on sex organs: whether you\u2019ve shot a buck or doe, make your cut around the organs rather than through them. For does, that means shifting off to one side to bypass the udder, not cutting down its middle. Some people choose to cut the genitalia off a buck immediately, and that\u2019s fine unless you\u2019re in a state where you\u2019re required to check your deer in with proof of gender intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/moultrie-hoist-gambrel-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"hoist and gambrel\" class=\"wp-image-210523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/moultrie-hoist-gambrel-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/moultrie-hoist-gambrel-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/moultrie-hoist-gambrel-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/moultrie-hoist-gambrel-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/moultrie-hoist-gambrel.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Moultrie Packable Hoist and Gambrel is great. Shown here being used on a feral hog, which shows the placement of the hook on the hind leg.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-five-begin-the-process-of-removing-internal-organs\">Step Five: Begin the Process of Removing Internal Organs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason we don\u2019t say \u201cremove internal organs\u201d is that it takes a few more steps. You can either roll the deer onto its side and allow the bulk of the major organs to spill onto the ground, or you can leave it on its back and use your hands to lift them out to one side. They\u2019re still attached, so don\u2019t yank or expect the entire body cavity to magically empty. Be careful not to tear anything when you do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-six-cut-the-diaphragm\">Step Six: Cut the Diaphragm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The diaphragm is a wall of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. Once you have the stomach contents shifted to the side, you\u2019ll be able to see and touch the diaphragm. Cut the diaphragm thoroughly all the way around, doing so close to the body. I usually start at the center and cut first all the way to the right-hand side of the spin, then go back and cut to the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Optional: You can include a bone saw with your gear and use it to open the chest wider before cutting the diaphragm. This isn\u2019t something I typically do, but it does have benefits like cooling the body faster and giving you easier access to the chest itself. If you do this, make your cuts shallow and saw up toward the head from the bottom of the breastbone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-seven-cut-the-trachea\">Step Seven: Cut the Trachea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Use your off-hand to reach up into the chest cavity, all the way to where the trachea extends from the neck. Grab the trachea and apply enough pressure to traction it downward for a clean cut. Cautiously insert your knife hand and sever the trachea. You don\u2019t have to sever it high into the neck; it simply needs to be cut to free the rest of the organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/lever-gun-deer-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"lever-action rifle deer\" class=\"wp-image-210525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/lever-gun-deer-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/lever-gun-deer-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/lever-gun-deer-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/lever-gun-deer-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/lever-gun-deer.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Deer hunting is rewarding, but the work doesn&#8217;t end once you have a deer down. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-eight-remove-internal-organs-completely\">Step Eight: Remove Internal Organs Completely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Set your knife aside, and grasp the cut-off portion of the trachea. A sharp tug should be all it takes to spill the internal organs out of the body cavity. If the organs fail to come out smoothly, odds are you missed a spot on the diaphragm and need to finish the job. As for the anus, once the majority of the organs are out, use one hand to grasp the length of intestine immediately behind the anus. You can tug it out through the body, taking care not to dump any fecal matter into the body cavity as you go. If it doesn\u2019t immediately slide free, you likely missed some connective tissue. Simply go back and make the necessary cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The urethra and bladder also need to come out without being punctured, so do that slowly and make any necessary cuts as you go. On bucks, this is one reason most hunters simply cut the genitalia off\u2014it frees up the urethra inside the body without having to dig around inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-nine-drain-pooled-blood-you-re-done-field-dressing\">Step Nine: Drain Pooled Blood &#8211; You&#8217;re Done Field Dressing!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If there\u2019s any blood pooled inside the body cavity, tip the deer over to drain it. Certain internal organs are often kept for cooking, such as the heart\u2014thinks tacos\u2014and liver. I keep the lungs as well and use the organs other than the heart for dog food. You might find the organs are too damaged to keep, and that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re done! Time to load your deer and go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/hog-gutless-backstrap-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"backstraps on feral hog\" class=\"wp-image-210524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/hog-gutless-backstrap-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/hog-gutless-backstrap-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/hog-gutless-backstrap-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/hog-gutless-backstrap-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/hog-gutless-backstrap.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The gutless method can be used to remove meat without field dressing. Here you can see it being used to pull the backstraps from a feral hog. Also pictured: Valavian Edgecraft Kitsune knife, which is great for tough hog hides. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE HERE: <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-baiting-deer-when-why-how\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Baiting Deer 101: When, Why, and How<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bonus-round-field-dressing-hogs\">Bonus Round: Field Dressing Hogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another animal you\u2019re likely to end up dressing is a <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/flir-introduces-thermosight-pro-pts-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\">feral hog<\/a>. It\u2019s certainly possible you\u2019ll want all the meat and go the field dressing route listed above (on the right hogs, ribs and other cuts are well worth getting). However, you can also simply make cuts over the spine and hind legs to pull backstraps and hams, leaving the rest intact. This is the hog version of the gutless method. This is a method that\u2019s also sometimes used on deer to pull meat without gutting\/field dressing. But that\u2019s a story for another time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the Moultrie Packable Hoist and Gambrel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moultrieproducts.com\/hoist-and-gambrel-system\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>. For a great field dressing knife, look at the Havalon Piranta <a href=\"https:\/\/www.havalon.com\/piranta-60a-edge-pack-includes\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong><em>*** <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"hunt365-field-dressing-101-tips-and-tricks\" title=\"Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica!<\/a> ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Check out these tips for field dressing your deer for the best possible results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":210519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4305,1217,4320],"tags":[1352,1209,1934],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-210517","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-expert-guides","8":"category-hunt365","9":"category-hunting-hunt365","10":"tag-deer-hunting","11":"tag-hunt365","12":"tag-hunting-tips"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Field Dressing 101: Tips and Tricks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether you\u2019re taking your deer to a processor or handling processing at home, you\u2019re going to need to field dress it. 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