Elk, gutless method

Guy Miner

Master Loader
Apr 6, 2006
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Good video I watched this morning, Randy Newberg uses the "gutless" method to take apart an elk.

I was sipping my morning coffee while watching this, and got so doggone hungry when I saw him remove that huge elk backstrap.... YUM! I look at field dressing as a very important early stage of making our game animals into delicious table fare.

Almost 30 minutes long, so get a cuppa coffee, make a sandwich, enjoy. He's pretty doggone good at this stuff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny5z3kJWbn8

Guy
 
I've used this technique for many years. It does work. I confess that a couple of times I left the tenderloin, but no longer. I'm always on the lookout for effective methods of dressing game so I can bring the meat home. Excellent video, by the way.
 
We have done this every time for antelope in the field. I've not tried it for deer, as we usually just drop them off at the processor. So far, elk have been with a guide so they take care of it.
 
I bet I haven't gutted an elk in close to 20 years unless it was a after the fact thing to get the tenderloins or we were lucky enough to bring it out whole (which has only happened twice for me but numerous times for friends). On cows the tenderloins are so small I don't genetrally bother. All gutting does is make a mess everywhere for you to slip and slide in because elk don't die on flat ground, unless they rolled there.
 
I've been a fan for awhile. Did not watch the video but the one caution I would give is to use care separating the rear quarter in the groin area. As noted elk don't die on flat ground. A couple of times I cut a little too close to where the flank steaks attach. Amazing how much gut can squeeze out through a two inch slit. I also like to take the rears first, particularly working by my self. I get more leverage on the joint.
I will also leave as much of the rib and flank attached to the shoulder as I can instead of separating at the arm pit. Roll it all up it weighs about the same as a rear, at camp un roll, rebag and let it cool.


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I've been a fan for awhile. Did not watch the video but the one caution I would give is to use care separating the rear quarter in the groin area. As noted elk don't die on flat ground. A couple of times I cut a little too close to where the flank steaks attach. Amazing how much gut can squeeze out through a two inch slit. I also like to take the rears first, particularly working by my self. I get more leverage on the joint.
I will also leave as much of the rib and flank attached to the shoulder as I can instead of separating at the arm pit. Roll it all up it weighs about the same as a rear, at camp un roll, rebag and let it cool.


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That’s how I have done moose. Caribou I generally take the neck and rib cage out together in one bag to trim when I get home.


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I do that with pigs. Done it for years.



Elk are on the bucket list. I don’t think I could do a gutless method on one tho. Too much good organ meat to pull out.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau
 
It’s realitivy easy to retrieve any organs you choose after you quarter it out. I generally take my ribs out whole. After you pull the ribs off all the organs are accessible then.


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Actually just did this last weekend on my mule deer. I knew it was a bit of a hike back to the Jeep, and "quartering" the buck seemed the best option for me, that night. Worked out real well.

Guy
 
Guy, thanks for sharing. I have always used the hoist and gambrel method down here in Texas. Up north is a whole different enchilada. This is a tougher way to bring home the meat if hunting up in the mountains and hills on foot. Amazing stuff and the tenderloins do look tricky to get in.
 
Been watching Randy Newberg's stuff for the last year. Really enjoy. He's a public land average mans hunter and has some really cool, realistic videos on youtube. CL
 
On steep ground I typically use the traditional method, put them on their backs tie them to a tree and cut them up. On flat ground the gutless method seems easier, for me. When you pack them out, or when you eat them, either method seems to work fine.
 
I've done two elk and a few deer that way. Since I can't get a tractor to where I kill elk I need to quarter them anyway and it ends up being a lot cleaner.
 
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