First kill!

[Trent]

Oooh crap. Unless those came off with the hindquarters that I cut, coyotes got those.

If there was meat to be had that could only be gotten through the abdominal cavity, I missed it.

When I removed the rear legs I took them from the inside. Cut down along the outside of the abdominal sack to the hip joints, then removed all the meat with it. I ended up with a huge chunk of meat from each hind leg; I sliced down between the muscle groups, detatched the tendons from the leg joints, and pulled it the meat off in one big chunk. I set those aside as I knew the meat back there would be nice and tender.

I set the legs, whole, aside, and trimmed all of the meat off of them.

I separated the hindquarters meat in to major muscle groups and cut steaks off the larger pieces. The smaller pieces from the rear, I diced - figured I'd make deer steak tacos or stew out of it.

I took two thick pieces off the back. The thicker part I cut diagonally in to steaks, and the thinner part I diced and tossed in to the "grind" bowl. (Most of the stringy long grained meat was diced and put in the grind bowl).

The fore-legs were done similarly except around the shoulder blades, I had to work a little to get the shoulder meat off separately as I couldn't get everything off in one big piece.

(I took one pic of the slaughtering right at the end, but it's frigging gruesome, not sure what THR's rules are on posting pics of slaughtering.)

 

[rondog]

Sounds like you did most of the processing in the kitchen? No wonder the wife is po'd!

 

[HankR]

If there was meat to be had that could only be gotten through the abdominal cavity, I missed it.

Probably only a couple of pounds, but very tender.

 

[Trent]

Sounds like you did most of the processing in the kitchen? No wonder the wife is po'd!

I butchered it in the garage, but washed the meat and cut it down to steaks & cubes in the kitchen. Couldn't do it outside as all my outdoor spickets are shut off for the winter.

I did clean up after myself; cleaned the hair and gunk out of the drain catch, washed the cutting board, bowls, and utensils I used, and didn't leave a spot of blood anywhere.

I also mopped the blood in the garage up. I threw down an 8x8' section of 8mil black plastic but cut though the plastic in a couple places with my knife. (I didn't have anything to hang the deer with, so I did it on the floor on the black plastic).

I *won't* do that again. That plastic got so dang slippery I about landed my ass in a pool of blood and gore a couple times. Before I take another deer I'm going to rig up a come-along in the garage to hoist it with, and put a big plastic bin under it to catch any blood. (And if it's not ultra cold I'll do it out in the woods on a tree branch.)

 

[Doc7]

I've only been squirrel hunting and hope to learn from your first hunt before I go for deer.... Or any hunt, really : )

Congrats on the first one. Just wondering crossbow or not, did you seek permission from the owners when you crossed property lines like you mentioned?

I hope I never have to choke out an animal to finish it! That is a good story for 2 decades from now though! I am glad that my wife is excited about hunting and as a biologist interested in the gutting!

 

[Trent]

I've only been squirrel hunting and hope to learn from your first hunt before I go for deer.... Or any hunt, really : )

I hope yours goes better than mine!

Congrats on the first one. Just wondering crossbow or not, did you seek permission from the owners when you crossed property lines like you mentioned?

No, I didn't. Wouldn't know who to ask anyway; The land I was on was vacant - no houses anywhere, just a few square miles of woods, hills, and farmland on the other side of the lake from my house. The land itself wasn't posted no trespassing, nor did it have the signature purple spraypaint around trees that signifies no trespassing by IL code. While tracking, I passed no fewer than 5 permanent tree-stands while I was tracking the buck, so those woods aren't strangers to hunters.

I left the bow behind because THAT would have been a serious no-no. (Both from DNR and from the landowner...)

When I came back home (grew frustrated), I was overheated; I changed from my thermal camo suit to my blaze orange jacket and my NRA RSO bright yellow hat, before I went back out. Those tree stands I saw made me a bit nervous; on the off chance one or two were populated, I didn't want to catch an arrow myself. So I made myself as visible as possible.

 

[bandur60]

When my compass lied to me I was fortunate there was enough snow that I could backtrack myself. 'Twas a very foggy morning and I hunted around the end of a ridge and across the far side without realizing it. Started out going ENE and was headed WNW when I tried to figure out where I was in relation to the pickup. Believe the compass!! This was in unfamiliar territory and pre-GPS days.

 

[HankR]

I butchered it in the garage, but washed the meat and cut it down to steaks & cubes in the kitchen....I did clean up after myself...

I think that my plan will be to do the kitchen part when the wife is away. Send her to town for something, even if I have to invent something. Typically this time of year there's concerts and plays and musicals that I'd just as soon miss anyway. Send her and the girl child to something like that and hope to get everything polished up before she gets back.

How is your wife doing w/ the whole hunting thing? Any improvement? It sounds as if she was more concerned w/ Bambi's demise than the mess, no?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Dammit man. That's hardcore.

I give em 15 or 20 minutes when I shoot them with a gun. I've not had success bow hunting yet, but after reading your story, I think when I do shoot one, I'll give it an hour before I ever start to track. Pushing them is never a good thing. You likely wouldn't have had to track him nearly as far if you'd waited longer. Oh well, you live and learn.

As far as butchering it, here are a couple of tips I've learned doing it myself (I'm too cheap to pay someone to do it).

Separate those muscles in the hind quarters before making steaks out of them (Its actually pretty easy once you do it a couple times). Separate them, then slice AGAINST the grain for steaks. If you're making jerky, cut it along the grain. You want that to be a little chewy.

two long thick pieces along either side of the back bone,

Most will agree that this is the best part of the deer. You can marinate them and grill them whole, or slice about 1" thick, pound them out with a meat mallet and pan fry (that's my favorite way).

Note that there are also two shorter strips inside the cavity of the deer, near the rear. These are the true tenderloins. They are very tender.

You may already know this, but one thing to watch out for preparing venison is not to overcook. There is relatively no fat content so they are best served medium.

Good job and happy hunting.

(I didn't read every single post, so forgive me if repeated something)

 

[Trent]

Hank;

Wife is not as upset now, as she was.

I made jerky a couple of nights ago. THAT was an adventure.. first time I'd ever ground meat. Usually I'll make beef jerky whole, out of strips of sirloin. But I decided to get a jerky gun and a grinder, so I have the option of doing sausages later.

You know, those things work better if you have the BLADE in the stupid thing behind the grinder head. A half hour in, and my 8th time trying to de-clog the grinder plate, I'm getting frustrated.. look over, and there's this little throwing star looking thing.. completely forgot to put it on the shaft.

So... after that it went fine. Except I didn't know what a "scant 1/4 teaspoon" was, so I used slightly too much cure per pound (by weight), but not enough to cause any risk of sickness. Next time I'll weigh the dang cure out on my reloading scale, it does grams.

I've been cutting 4" strips of the jerky I made and giving to the kids each night for a snack. "Who wants deer jerky?" and they all come running.. except my wife and oldest daughter. My two younger girls and both my boys love the stuff.

So, I'm 5 for 7 now, as far as getting people on board for hunting. That's a majority.

I thought briefly about having the deer processed but two things stopped me;

1. I killed the animal, I should do it.
2. See #1.

 

[Kingcreek]

Quite a story. Congrats on the recovery. If I shoot a deer and jump it up while tracking, I will back off and give it an hour or more.
If you are skinning and cleaning properly, you won't have to wash the meat. All that washing just makes the membrane all bubbly and is unnecessary. There should only be a little hair that you can pick off by hand as you go.
The more deer you take apart, the easier it gets.

 

[gspn]

Hank;

You know, those things work better if you have the BLADE in the stupid thing behind the grinder head. A half hour in, and my 8th time trying to de-clog the grinder plate, I'm getting frustrated.. look over, and there's this little throwing star looking thing.. completely forgot to put it on the shaft.

AAAHAAHAHA! Been there...THATS funny.

 

[Trent]

A followup.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=738319

 

[Aaron Baker]

I just wanted to chime in to point out that game regulations are different in each state.

In Kentucky, you may finish off a game animal by any method, as long as it is humane. So even though full metal jacket centerfire cartridges out of a pistol with a 15-round magazine aren't legal for hunting, it's acceptable to use that carry pistol to finish off a deer shot with a legal gun or bow.

On the other hand, Kentucky fish and game folks are very vocal about telling you that you need permission from adjacent landowners to even track wounded game on their property. Granted, this is only an issue if you get caught by a landowner who isn't happy about you hunting on their property, but it's worth paying close attention to that issue because we all need to be good stewards of our hunting traditions.

I've never bow or crossbow hunted--only gun. And every deer I've ever shot has been less than 50 yards away. (Considerably less, in fact.) But I can sympathize with all the headache and muscle ache you've experienced. Glad to hear that you're learning lessons. I didn't have a mentor either--it's definitely more difficult when you're learning to hunt without someone to guide you. Good that you stuck with it.

Aaron

 

[jack44]

That's why I hunt with a gun the deer wont run away when the 45/70 drills it

 

[Bobson]

My kids are nothing like yours.
I raised a steer from a calf and the kids named him Sam. When he got big enough, I had him butchered. My kids ate deer all the time and usually only had beef when they ate hamburger so when they tasted their 1st steak, they said, "This is REAL good! What kind of meat is it?"
I said, "This is Sam."
They looked at me funny and grabbed another piece and said, "He tastes good. When are we gonna raise another one?"

Dad?

 

[Trent]

I just wanted to chime in to point out that game regulations are different in each state.

In Kentucky, you may finish off a game animal by any method, as long as it is humane. So even though full metal jacket centerfire cartridges out of a pistol with a 15-round magazine aren't legal for hunting, it's acceptable to use that carry pistol to finish off a deer shot with a legal gun or bow.

Since I was technically trespassing (wasn't posted no trespassing, BUT, I didn't have the owner's consent), I made sure to leave all weapons behind; so my bow was still on my property. (Didn't mean to leave the knife behind, though).

Now, I indirectly know the owner of the land - never met them in person - but I know they are avid hunters. (I heard two shots over there, just last night; about 2:30 AM; they must have been after 'yotes). While tracking the deer I passed quite a few permanent deer stands.. so it's pretty clear how they feel about hunters.

The other thing was, there was fresh snow on the ground, and I could easily take them to where the blood trail crossed *from* my property, on to theirs, to prove I wasn't poaching on their land.

On the other hand, Kentucky fish and game folks are very vocal about telling you that you need permission from adjacent landowners to even track wounded game on their property. Granted, this is only an issue if you get caught by a landowner who isn't happy about you hunting on their property, but it's worth paying close attention to that issue because we all need to be good stewards of our hunting traditions.

Yes, it is like this in Illinois too. I knew the minute I stepped over the barbed wire fence I was at the mercy of the disposition of anyone I met. I knew the land was vacant, but if I'd met up with the property owner unexpectedly I was prepared to flag them down and throw myself at their mercy.

In Illinois, you're required to make an attempt to recover a wounded animal but (per IDNR hunting digest guidelines) this requirement STOPS if you have to enter someone else's land to track the animal (unless you have their permission.)

Had I run in to someone, I would have immediately told them what I was doing and asked their permission. If they said "go away" I would have apologized, and went back home.

I've never bow or crossbow hunted--only gun. And every deer I've ever shot has been less than 50 yards away. (Considerably less, in fact.) But I can sympathize with all the headache and muscle ache you've experienced. Glad to hear that you're learning lessons. I didn't have a mentor either--it's definitely more difficult when you're learning to hunt without someone to guide you. Good that you stuck with it.

Aaron

Next time I'll have my distance markers set, and not rely on the size of the deer as a reference. That was a dumb rookie mistake. I totally didn't think about deer being all different sizes...

 

[ICE1210]

Trent,
I've hunted since I could walk, you did a great job with that deer. Inexperience is your only problem and that won't be one for long. I'd much rather hunt with a person who is conscientious and inexperienced than one who is an adept hunter with no respect for the game he hunts. The great lengths you went to in recovering your deer speak well of you. You have, with your own hands, literally put food on the table for your family, that is something to take pride in. As others have said, I advise taking a knife next time and remember to get the tenderloins, they are located inside the chest cavity on either side of the spine, forward of the diaphragm. My wife loves them marinated in Italian dressing and grilled.

 

[Trent]

Thanks for the kind words, Ice.

I've eaten venison just about every night since I took that animal. Made my new knife sheath, know to get my ranges ahead of time, and learned a lot of lessons.

And.. Next time I won't leave the tenderloins to the yotes..

This looks a lot better than the generic nylon one I lost.

 

[Big20]

Great story. Reminds me of the time I hit a doe with my 45 cal. Muzzleloader only to have her try to get up as I approached with an unloaded gun. I wacked her over the head with the empty gun then put one foot on her neck to hold her down. It was a game of push her down and try to reload, push, reload..... Finally she out pushed me just as I put a maxi all down between her shoulders. She still went another 100 yards.

 

[Trent]

Well, I went for a hike today with my husky, to see what was left of the deer carcass I dumped out in the woods behind my place.

I was shocked at how efficient Coyotes and Fox are at scavenging. The only thing left were hooves, skull, spine, and pelt.

Next time I think I'll move one of my game cams to supervise.

(will put a warning that it's graphic, but nothing you guys haven't seen before)

http://i.imgur.com/est26rS.jpg

 

[twofifty]

Trent thanks for keeping us up to date.

I admire that you decided to take up this strange new activity and jumped into the deep end. The concern and respect for that animal that you brought along with you -and lived up to- makes up for any mistakes. It is a steep learning curve even for those of us who are lucky enough to have a mentor.

With the lessons learned, next year should be much easier in every respect.

 

[interlock]

H I Trent,
I hope you are well? Thanks for keeping us posted. Have you considered training that husky to blood track?
You don't have to spend a fortune on a nice little puppy of some exotic breed. I am sure he will be fine. The training is not difficult and you get a hunting buddy who is always keen to go and who won't let you down.
Interlock

 

[tnxdshooter]

OK this deer hunting stuff sounds fun but holy CRAP it's a lot of work.

I went out to my spot this morning. IMMEDIATELY saw what appeared to be a fairly big doe after I got in to position. Then another. Then they got in to my lane.

I shouldered my crossbow, estimated the difference, breathed... relaxed, pulled the trigger. It seemed to take a year for my arrow to get to the deer.

Then everything happened SOOO FAST.

I know I nailed him, but I also saw that I hit a little low.

My deer ran across the field, up in to the hills, and fell back down in to some brush. I figured "hell yeah!", nice clean kill. I put the bow down, reach for my belt, and realized I'd forgot my knife. So I mark the location good, can see the deer laying there about 80 yards off.

I get back with my knife, get to the spot, and find nothing but a blood pile.

Sonofa..

We had a fairly fresh snowfall so the blood trail is easy to follow. PRODIGIOUS blood trail, splatter, signs of coughing. I figure as fast as this deer is bleeding out this shouldn't be a long chase.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

Every 50 yards or so I'd find where it coughed, or laid down for a minute. I caught sight of it a half dozen times. Always about 80 yards off, or so. It was watching me. I had to leave my bow behind when I crossed property lines so I had no choice but to wait it out (it never let me get a clean shot anyway).

I tracked him through the hills. Through the fields. Through the forest. Signs of coughing. Heavy blood flow. Blood sign everywhere. wasn't hard to follow, although I almost lost the trail quite a few times where there wasn't any snow. Had to back track about a half dozen times and find the trail again. A few times I had to search a while until I found it.

After over an hour and a half of hiking, I get to the edge of a corn field and BOOM. Jumps up and bounds off, like nothing ever happened. Fast as can be.

I figure he's not mortally wounded. Decide to come home, sad, and depressed.

I'm sitting here 15 minutes and figure... no. He's lost too much blood. There's no way in HELL he's going to survive.

So I got my boots back on and went out again. Hiked from my house a mile or so back to where I left off at, picked up where I left off, and found him 30 yards away in grass at the edge of the field. Thought he was dead. NOPE! Off he goes again.

One tough sonofa...

At this point I'm determined just to run him down. So off in to the hills we go... I run after him. He bounds ahead, then lays down. Each time I have to run less.. and less.. I'm closing on him. I finally wore him down to the point I could get close to him.

I reach for my knife. Left it at home...

I had to finish him off with my bare hands. I tried to grab him - he jumped up and I about peed myself. So I broke off a big sturdy 3" wide stick, that's about 3 foot long.

I get close to him again.

Hit him three times with the big stick, in the head. Broke the damn stick. He's dazed but still alive.

So I figure I'd break his neck. It looks easy enough in the movies, right?

No. Spun his head around 360 degrees and no snap.

So I sat on him, and choked the buck to death with my bare hands.

I tell you something. It was primal. I'll remember that moment until my dying day.

As if I wasn't tired enough... Then the REAL work began. I'm a LONG way from home, on foot, in steep hills, with no knife, no rope, no NOTHING. So I grabbed his rear feet and drug him.

Rest. Drag. Rest. Drag. Rest. Drag.

I had to haul him over a half mile to the edge of a clearing. Barbed wire fence stopped me, couldn't get him over it. Walk a half mile back to my home. Get my garden cart. Walk back with my 16 year old boy. Junior helps me get him over the barbed wire fence.

I can barely stand at this point. And I haven't even started butchering him yet. (Was a young buck, I actually thought it was a doe until I'd killed it and found his ding dong between his legs... little nubs for antlers. Weighed about 150-160 lbs.)

So I find that butchering an animal of that size, alone, is not easy. I'd never done it before. I managed to cut off all the meat. Didn't break any guts open on anything (didn't bother to gut it. Took the back strips off, quartered it, cut all the meat off the legs.)

Hauled the carcass out back a quarter mile behind my place, for the 'yotes to eat.

Wash the meat.. wash the meat more.. wash the meat some more...

Then I cut off a couple small steaks and I ate something I killed with my bare hands.

Now... I rest while the meat firms up a little in the deep freeze so I can finish making steaks.

Will post pics when I find my phone cable.

1. You suck at hunting and you let an animal suffer.

2. I call bs that you killed a deer with your bare hands. No human man is strong enough to kill one with his bare hands.

 

[Torian]

Nice story. Are you permitted to carry a sidearm while hunting with a crossbow to address something like this?

Also...dat dog!