Ladies doing the field dressing...


ladydiehard

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How many of you ladies can and will field dress your own deer or someone elses?

I personally can and will do so, depending on the need.

Last season, I shot a buck very early on opening morning. Typically, my cousin comes to help with the field dressing. But it was early and he hadn't been in his stand for 30 minutes. Also, deer were really moving around. So to keep from disturbing him and others, I did the honors.

I've also done the honors for new hunters that I've taken out that are still learning the ropes.

I'm 43 and have been deer hunting since I was 14. Over the years, I've field dressed deer shot in various manners...gut shots being the worst. Even though it smells bad, it just doesn't bother me.

What about you ladies? Do you let the men do the nasty work? smirk.gif

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Guest Andrea

Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

Oh boy...........I TRIED to do it last year, but I just couldn't. tongue.gif I starting cutting the hide off around the neck but my husband started complaining that I wasn't going fast enough and that I was getting hair everywhere.

Soooo.........I let him do it. grin.gif

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

Actually we don't field dress our deer, but instead take them to town and clean them. I hang them up in my dad's shop by the back legs, pull the hide off and then gut them. Let them hang for awhile and then quarter them up. Them mom and dad do the packaging of the meat.

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

I have watched my husband (wtnhunt) field dress several deer over the years. Well, last year he decided it was time i learned. I tried and did alot myself on the gutting part. He had to help some. Then he usually does the skinning part and quartering up part. We soak the meat in salt and ice water for several days (changing the water out every day). Then we get in the kitchen together and do the cutting up of steaks, roasts, and grinding, etc....

It doesn't bother me. I am a Registered nurse and i have seen alot grosser things than the inside of a deer. lol...

Maybe this year i can do the field dressing all by myself, without any help..

wish me luck.

mrswtnhunt

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

[ QUOTE ]

Oh boy...........I TRIED to do it last year, but I just couldn't. tongue.gif I starting cutting the hide off around the neck but my husband started complaining that I wasn't going fast enough and that I was getting hair everywhere.

Soooo.........I let him do it. grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah well, don't feel bad. I know men that can't "stomach" the field dressing part either.

AND...for the men that read this ladies section (we know you do)...

This is a prime example of a common problem... impatience during teaching!

Guys...someone took the time to teach YOU. If you want your women (and kids too) to hunt and believe they need to learn all aspects of whats involved, then teach them PATIENTLY!

And if they can't handle certain aspects...remember that alot of guys can't handle "all" aspects either. wink.gif

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

[ QUOTE ]

I have watched my husband (wtnhunt) field dress several deer over the years. Well, last year he decided it was time i learned. I tried and did alot myself on the gutting part. He had to help some. Then he usually does the skinning part and quartering up part. We soak the meat in salt and ice water for several days (changing the water out every day). Then we get in the kitchen together and do the cutting up of steaks, roasts, and grinding, etc....

It doesn't bother me. I am a Registered nurse and i have seen alot grosser things than the inside of a deer. lol...

Maybe this year i can do the field dressing all by myself, without any help..

wish me luck.

mrswtnhunt

[/ QUOTE ]

Field dressing a deer is much easier with a partner...no doubt about it.

I often hunt alone though so I had to learn to handle it alone.

I'm sure you'll do fine. smile.gif

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Guest outdoorgirl

Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

I have gutted my own deer several times.....but most of the time i hunt with someone and we work together on the deer....nothing like team work !

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

I have watched my husband (wtnhunt) field dress several deer over the years. Well, last year he decided it was time i learned. I tried and did alot myself on the gutting part. He had to help some. Then he usually does the skinning part and quartering up part. We soak the meat in salt and ice water for several days (changing the water out every day). Then we get in the kitchen together and do the cutting up of steaks, roasts, and grinding, etc....

It doesn't bother me. I am a Registered nurse and i have seen alot grosser things than the inside of a deer. lol...

Maybe this year i can do the field dressing all by myself, without any help..

wish me luck.

mrswtnhunt

[/ QUOTE ]

Field dressing a deer is much easier with a partner...no doubt about it.

I often hunt alone though so I had to learn to handle it alone.

I'm sure you'll do fine. smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep Becky, she knows what to do pretty much, just tried to show her some little tips to make it easier for her. You really just have to get in and do it. Maybe this year she can do mine too laugh.gif lol. You know practice makes perfect right grin.gif. jk.

We are really pretty fortunate though in that we can bring the deer back to the house to dress them out.

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

I have watched my husband (wtnhunt) field dress several deer over the years. Well, last year he decided it was time i learned. I tried and did alot myself on the gutting part. He had to help some. Then he usually does the skinning part and quartering up part. We soak the meat in salt and ice water for several days (changing the water out every day). Then we get in the kitchen together and do the cutting up of steaks, roasts, and grinding, etc....

It doesn't bother me. I am a Registered nurse and i have seen alot grosser things than the inside of a deer. lol...

Maybe this year i can do the field dressing all by myself, without any help..

wish me luck.

mrswtnhunt

[/ QUOTE ]

Field dressing a deer is much easier with a partner...no doubt about it.

I often hunt alone though so I had to learn to handle it alone.

I'm sure you'll do fine. smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep Becky, she knows what to do pretty much, just tried to show her some little tips to make it easier for her. You really just have to get in and do it. Maybe this year she can do mine too laugh.gif lol. You know practice makes perfect right grin.gif. jk.

We are really pretty fortunate though in that we can bring the deer back to the house to dress them out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, it is nice to be able to take the deer back to the house. Ours woods is an hour from my cousins house where we hang them, skin them and cut them up. So we always field dress them in the woods.

Practice does make perfect. I remember my first few times.

My husband bought me a little tool that I love...

A Gerber E-Z Zip. It works like a charm!

http://www.cabelas.com/information/Archery/GerberE-ZZip8482.html

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

When I was 13 my Dad brought home a deer and told me to get out there and help but I did not want to because it was cold and wet outside and, well, I was 13 and knew everything. I made the mistake of telling my Dad that he should be able to do it himself because any idiot can clean a deer. He said "Here you go idiot" as he handed me his knife and went inside. Oh yeah, ask me how many times I sassed him after that!!!! Anyway, got it done. Was not happy about it but I did it. When I got older and my Grandmother was fishing everyday Daddy came up with the you kill it/catch it, you clean it rule. Worked for me b/c I was not into hunting or fishing. I made it the rule at my house when I got married. Then I started hunting last year. Yeah. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!!!!

I can and will clean my own deer, squirrells, fish, etc. It's not my favorite job in the world but it is not the worst either (ever cleaned out a hog pen, helped turn bulls into steers, pulled a calf? uh huh ...). You just have to make up your mind and get to it. Oh yeah, and don't cut a gut!!!!

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

[ QUOTE ]

I have been present for lots of field dressing, however I haven't actually participated. I am lucky enough to have a husband who loves me enough to do all that...okay maybe the truth is he cleans and I cook.

[/ QUOTE ]

Guess it is kind of funny how some women want to and some dont.

Pretty much field dressed the wifes first two deer for her, she helped and wanted to do more herself. Her interest in doing her own on her third one last year was not at all pushed onto her and I did help her where she needed it.

Will be there to guide her through on the next few for sure, but that is the way she wants it, I really wouldnt mind doing them for her, we all eat the meat.

Challenge now is to see if my 10 year old is going to take any interest in helping, when she gets her next deer.

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Re: Ladies doing the field dressing...

I don't mind doing the field dressing, but sometimes Andy will come and just take over and i'm like grrr...I can do it myself even if I am slower than you,lol. Usually though I'll help him with his deer, him with mine with field dressing in the woods then taking the hide off and such back home.

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