Tough but Rewarding Mulie Season

[Peakbagger46]

Started out the season up high (9,400’) in my old reliable roadless area. Early heavy snowfall made movement very arduous and the deer eventually moved down during snow storm #2.

Spent some time lower down that day hunting on BLM in the rainy mud scape and saw only does.

Next two days found me at lower piñon grasslands on BLM/Forest Service conveniently only 35 miles from the house. Saw at least 30 does and even a few cow elk (rare sighting during daylight hours during rifle season). Beautiful country this time of year.



The second day hunting this new country, I came across the first buck of the season and was able to make a 105y broadside shot. Behind the shoulder placement and he was down quickly without meat loss, typical 180g Accubond performance.

Gutless quarter job and an uphill pack out to the truck. What a cool deer season!

 

[tominboise]

Nicely done!

 

[Armored farmer]

Excellent hunt

 

[Milt1]

Nice write-up and with pictures!

 

[Peakbagger46]

Today was meat care. Below is venison mixed with pork and blended with southern sausage mix for a 25# yield. Lots of steak/stew also packaged up.

 

[ms6852]

Congratulations !

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Well Done.
Great story and some pretty country in those pictures.

 

[Chuck R.]

Congrats!

How did the X2 handle the weight??

I'm taking mine to MT next week for mulies, but I'm looking at upgrading to either a Mystery Ranch or KUIU for next year.

 

[wombat13]

Do you have to sacrifice the tenderloins with the gutless method?

 

[tominboise]

Do you have to sacrifice the tenderloins with the gutless method?

No, and in Idaho it is illegal to do so.

 

[wombat13]

No, and in Idaho it is illegal to do so.

How does one get to the tenderloins along the spine inside the abdominal cavity without gutting the animal?

 

[tominboise]

How does one get to the tenderloins along the spine inside the abdominal cavity without gutting the animal?

Probably best to google or youtube it, but one lays the animal on it's side, goes behind the last rib, then open up the cavity. You can then reach in and trim out the tenderloin on that side. Roll the animal over and repeat.

From this site: https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/elk/gutless-method-for-field-dressing-elk

Feel along the rib cage, front to back, until you get to the short ribs. VERY carefully, cut the short ribs at their attachment point with the spine. Like the backstraps, use your fingers as much as your knife to filet the tenders off the bone. If you so desire, you can also very carefully carve out the meat between the ribs.

Here is another link https://www.bowhunter.com/editorial/simple-steps-to-gutless-field-dressing/182424

 

[Peakbagger46]

Congrats!

How did the X2 handle the weight??

I'm taking mine to MT next week for mulies, but I'm looking at upgrading to either a Mystery Ranch or KUIU for next year.

It works very well, that was the second mulie I’ve packed out with it (also hauled a large cow elk solo with it).

 

[Chuck R.]

It works very well, that was the second mulie I’ve packed out with it (also hauled a large cow elk solo with it).

Good to know!

I've really enjoyed mine, it's been a great hunting day pack. So far I haven't shot anything while hunting with it that didn't require just a short drag, or I couldn't get a cart to. For next year I'm looking for a little more capacity due to the possibility of setting up a spike camp for a couple days.

 

[Bazoo]

Congratulations. Thanks for sharing.

What caliber? 30-06?

 

[Peakbagger46]

Congratulations. Thanks for sharing.

What caliber? 30-06?

Yeah, my everything rifle. 180g Accubond reloads at 2,875fps. Here’s the behind the shoulder entrance wound on this buck (exit was substantially larger):

 

[Bazoo]

Thanks for sharing. Cool knife too.

 

[H&Hhunter]

How does one get to the tenderloins along the spine inside the abdominal cavity without gutting the animal?

It’s in a sticky at the top of the hunting page. Take a look at post number 7 in this thread.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/gutless-method-of-field-dressing-a-critter.878338/

 

[Peakbagger46]

It’s in a sticky at the top of the hunting page. Take a look at post number 7 in this thread.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/gutless-method-of-field-dressing-a-critter.878338/

It’s easy on elk and rather difficult on doe pronghorn with big hands

 

[H&Hhunter]

It’s easy on elk and rather difficult on doe pronghorn with big hands

I’ve never met a doe pronghorn that has big hands.