Field Dressing Knife

[ar15jules]

Your knife will work just fine. Avoid the guts and it isn't really unpleasant. That goes for the bullet as well!!!!!

[Gunowner99]

You all are so helpful. I have seen videos with knives with and without a gut hook. It seems that if it is sharp like the havalon is, you should have no problem cutting it open and field dressing. I'm not planning on splitting ribs or pelvis. I guess the trick is getting in there and not nicking bladder/intestines. Get my fingers in there and cut, but not my fingers! I just worry that I will cut too deep that's why I was looking at the gut hook because you pull away. But if you all say I am gtg with the priranta, then....

[27hand]

Here is what I have used.

2017-10-27_07-01-01 by poofy27, on Flickr


The top 2 were given to me by my grandfather when I was maybe 8 and maybe 9 years old years old. I'm 68 now.
They were not new at the time.

I used the top one to gut the doe I shot in rifle season.

2017-12-02_06-16-57 by poofy27, on Flickr

I used the second knife to gut the buck I got with a crossbow in my back yard this year.

2017-12-06_10-13-42 by poofy27, on Flickr

The 3rd knife was given to me as a birthday present from my ex wifes sister circa 35 years back.
This is still a virgin.

The bottom Buck is old. I would guess at about 40 and has been my go to forever.
I found the two top ones rusted in my garage cleanup, put an edge on them and they worked just fine. Old bakelite handles

[Gunowner99]

That's some history there! Very cool, beat up but definitely functional!

[abner13]

Use a Wyoming skinner once and you'll never use anything else!

wyoming knife.jpg

[heatheroo]

I use a Buck. I think it is called a Hunter with a 3" blade. I have had it since the 70's when my dad bought it for me. I have used it on every deer I shot plus a bunch of my buddies deer when they were squeamish about gutting. That knife has been around: there is a gouge in the brass from some dudes mouth as a result of an altercation when I was in HS. I also stabbed some dude with it who tried to rob me back in the same time period.

Whatever you get, either make sure it is high carbon that will hold an edge or be prepared to touch up the blade as you go. Deer hair will dull a blade fast. As other have said, any old knife will work. For me a shorter blade is easier to handle.

[pahuntnfool]

I am partial to my Buck cross lock. Lock blade with knife and gut hook separate. Has used it close to 24 years think they came out with it in 1994. Havent looked back since.

[Gunowner99]

A lot of options and passion, I can dig that!

[wis bang]

Use a Wyoming skinner once and you'll never use anything else!

wyoming knife.jpg

I loaned my buck 110 and a bunch of bandaids to a guy who tried to use a wyoming knife after loosing the red plastic guard...due to his buck fever he had shreadred his thumb badly...

I now use a folder from Wal Mart...$4.00 and I don;t care if I loose it, like my last Bucklite...

I never used a gut hook, I peel the fur at the base of the breastbone and make a small cut that I carefully open until I get fingers inside then work my way down...

[wis bang]

You all are so helpful. I have seen videos with knives with and without a gut hook. It seems that if it is sharp like the havalon is, you should have no problem cutting it open and field dressing. I'm not planning on splitting ribs or pelvis. I guess the trick is getting in there and not nicking bladder/intestines. Get my fingers in there and cut, but not my fingers! I just worry that I will cut too deep that's why I was looking at the gut hook because you pull away. But if you all say I am gtg with the priranta, then....

When I shot my first deer, Dad said, "I'm only gonna show you how to do this once..." and I almost lost my lunch while watching...My first solo effort was a long process with a bit of gagging...it get's better. Well I do have a bud who sometimes hunts with me. He had killed a lot more deer than I but ends up with an empty stomach every time. He can skin and cut them up real well, just don't like the innards too much