Where to Field Dress?

[bobcat220]

ok stupid question from a novice...Where's the successful hunter field dressing his/her deer these days? That is, where is the best, and least bothersome to other hunters, place to do it?

I know to tag immediately, but do it right there? Drag back to the truck first?

Thanks in advance.

[ar15jules]

I usually dress my deer where they lay unless it is on a particularly steep slope or in thick brush. I have found that a slight downward slope allows gravity to help out if you are alone. I like hunting bear in NY or coyote in PA and NY over gut piles. I shot a buck a few years ago in NY and it died feet from a trail camera of mine. I dressed the deer in front of the camera and set it to video. A multitude of song birds, ravens, crows and hawks, ate from that gut pile in addition to a flying squirrel, grey fox, red fox, opossum, raccoon, fisher, coyote and black bear. Deer also investigated the pile with much curiosity.
Jules

[unclejumbo]

Generally right where you shot it. Unless it's hard to get at for some reason then get it clear of things that will hamper your efforts and get to work.

[raxar]

what they both said, gutted deer are a bitch enough to drag as it is.

[gghbi]

Another one for the sooner you gut and start cooling the interior the better your meat will be, so at the site of the shot or as close as you have room to work. That much less weight to drag as well.

[heatheroo]

and don't forget to take the heart and liver

[Here4now]

and don't forget to take the heart and liver

And the gizzard………

[Rosco the Iroc]

I can't bend over to do it like I used to. On the hood of a junk car on the edge of the field was handy.

[Qtrborecrazy]

Why drag 40# or more of something you won’t eat? Gut it in the field and let Mother Nature dispose of it.

[Gunowner99]

You got it, where it lays.