kc45, That's plumb funny what you're wife said, "City guy giving a dead pig a bath."!!! That's kinda' how it goes, cleanliness is very important to the finished product and the ol' sayin', "Practice makes perfect" is very true as you learn to dress game. There is of course lots of differences in a hog an a deer but both have a hide and guts that need to be removed. Knife preferences and procedures are a personal thing, some like big 12" hunting knives and some of us use a pocket knife. Some hang 'em head up and some hang 'em head down. Some pull the hide before gutting, some gut 'em first, then skin 'em. If I skin a deer then gut it some dude will come by and say "That ain't the best way", if he can give me a good reason to do something his way I will consider it. I really enjoy knives as a hobby. I have been given many different knives, but always go back to what feels right in my hand. You will develop your own style and just like any procedure you will learn little tricks that make it much more enjoyable and it will begin to feel right to you. As you said, the work starts after you pull the trigger. One of the sayin's we hear around here after a hunt that has not produced a deer is "At least we ain't got to clean one of them nasty suckers tonight!" Glad you were sucessful on your hunt and hope to read more of your adventures. Treefarmer
I think cleaning a deer is easier, IMO. Maybe it's because the deer hair isn't as coarse? But it's basically the same process. cut the butt and nuts, skin it, gut it and then quarter it up.
congatulations. always remember that an animal that weighs 100lbs. seems to weigh 200 lbs. by the time u drag it out. good story
Yah baby........
A deer is easier than a hog but it's the same thing, I should have said this earlier but as much as everyone has said to hurry and get it in the cooler, a couple of hours is plenty of time. Now you should check out some videos and you'll see a whole lot more than you did earlier. Next time will be even easier and faster. Congrats again on harvesting a nice trophy and kudos on getting it on your own place. It's 1 you'll never forget. :toast
