By Kristen Schmitt. How Long Before A Kill Goes Bad In The Field OutdoorHub Reporters 11.09.18 While it may seem like putting a good shot on an animal means the hunt was a … Deer processing can be intimidating, especially if you are doing it for the first time. After, flip the deer over and repeat the process. Processing Deer in the Field Share List Before heading out to hunt white-tailed deer somewhere in the great state of Texas, it’s important to know the hunting regulations and how they pertain to processing deer in the field because a little knowledge can save you a lot of grief, as well as some money. Have your knives sharp, game bags ready, rope and/or tarp to keep the meat off the ground when you're quartering. Hunters appreciate the authentic field to table experience, and those who take the time to learn how to process their deer have the ability to control the meat quality from harvest to freezer. Here is how you butcher a deer and process the meat: The next step in processing your deer is to debone the deer. In the field. Quota hunts typically require the deer to be checked in with the deer’s sex identifiable. Deer is one of our main meat sources throughout the year. So knowing how to hunt and process a deer are vital in a homesteading lifestyle. At this point, you’re ready to start removing the meat from the hind quarters and shoulders that you set aside. If that’s the case, then a fast field dressing is the best option. Watch to find out how he breaks down a deer in just minutes. When icing down the meat, it’s a good idea to keep the meat on top of the ice and drain the cooler regularly to prevent the meat from sitting in melted water. To reduce your risk of exposure to disease, wear disposable plastic gloves while handling animals. Read an in-depth article on how to properly field dress a deer … If your game laws require identification of the sex of the deer, be sure to either leave the head or the genitals attached. There are also good videos available online, and the free e-book, QDMA’s Guide to Successful Deer Hunting, has an excellent chapter with much more details on field-to-table processing. Plus, you can process the deer into many different kinds of meat. Deboning a deer involves removing the muscles off of the deer. As the local Hunters for the Hungry guy in my community, I get regular calls to pick up roadkill. With a few deft cuts with his knife and knowing where the joints are on the deer’s body, he can skin, trim, remove muscles and get things done quickly. You may want to leave the hide on if while removing the animal from the field, depending on the outside temperature. Be prepared to process an animal any time you're hunting. 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