Specialized
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Might I suggest this website with step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations? The graphics are easy to understand, and not so hard to see as photos. Take a look here.
As was recommended in previous posts, there are some precautions you can take, and some gear that will definitely help. A few of these:
1. Nitrile gloves, like those from any Walmart-type store. Thicker than vinyl or latex, and somehow not quite as slippery.
2. A SHARP knife, 3.25"-4" blade. MAKE SURE the handle affords a good grip -- I like knives with finger choils and/or good traction to the scales.
3. Some water, to help clean up.
4. A small length of cord or leather lace, to tie off the poop-chute. For some reason, this seems to help keep things a bit tidier.
Be careful with:
1. The knife. A sharp knife, believe it or not, actually helps prevent injury to the user, but it definitely must be respected. Likewise, deer bones (ribs, etc) have a tendency to present really sharp edges after being shot. When cutting away the diaphragm tissue, be careful you don't get poked.
2. The cut up the middle. It is extremely important that you don't cut open the gastrointestinal tract while making this cut! The experience will be light-years more pleasant if this are isn't compromised. I would recommend a gut-hook of some fashion; they tend to eliminate this problem. Go slowly and be deliberate, you won't have any trouble.
3. Cuts around the an*s and genitals. These can involve a lot of repeat cuts to get all of the connective tissue. Take your time, and don't just stab blindly -- you'll get there if you're slow and deliberate.
4. The breastplate. The further up through this you can cut, the better; but that being said, make sure you're careful! It's a hard surface, and there are ample opportunities for the knife to slip if you don't keep it under control at all times. Same goes for cutting the windpipe -- reach up as far as you can, but be very careful severing it. The windpipe can present sharp edges if you aren't careful.
Again, about the knife -- you don't need a Daniel Boone-sized bowie to field dress a deer (a mastodon maybe, but not a deer). A 3.25" blade is just about perfect. Stout blade, well-sharpened, and you'll be fine. The Buck Alpha knives are very well-made and hold up well to this, as do thousands of others.
Hope this helps -- good luck!
As was recommended in previous posts, there are some precautions you can take, and some gear that will definitely help. A few of these:
1. Nitrile gloves, like those from any Walmart-type store. Thicker than vinyl or latex, and somehow not quite as slippery.
2. A SHARP knife, 3.25"-4" blade. MAKE SURE the handle affords a good grip -- I like knives with finger choils and/or good traction to the scales.
3. Some water, to help clean up.
4. A small length of cord or leather lace, to tie off the poop-chute. For some reason, this seems to help keep things a bit tidier.
Be careful with:
1. The knife. A sharp knife, believe it or not, actually helps prevent injury to the user, but it definitely must be respected. Likewise, deer bones (ribs, etc) have a tendency to present really sharp edges after being shot. When cutting away the diaphragm tissue, be careful you don't get poked.
2. The cut up the middle. It is extremely important that you don't cut open the gastrointestinal tract while making this cut! The experience will be light-years more pleasant if this are isn't compromised. I would recommend a gut-hook of some fashion; they tend to eliminate this problem. Go slowly and be deliberate, you won't have any trouble.
3. Cuts around the an*s and genitals. These can involve a lot of repeat cuts to get all of the connective tissue. Take your time, and don't just stab blindly -- you'll get there if you're slow and deliberate.
4. The breastplate. The further up through this you can cut, the better; but that being said, make sure you're careful! It's a hard surface, and there are ample opportunities for the knife to slip if you don't keep it under control at all times. Same goes for cutting the windpipe -- reach up as far as you can, but be very careful severing it. The windpipe can present sharp edges if you aren't careful.
Again, about the knife -- you don't need a Daniel Boone-sized bowie to field dress a deer (a mastodon maybe, but not a deer). A 3.25" blade is just about perfect. Stout blade, well-sharpened, and you'll be fine. The Buck Alpha knives are very well-made and hold up well to this, as do thousands of others.
Hope this helps -- good luck!