Well you did it. You got your deer, now what? First make sure the deer is dead, because you can be seriously injured if the animal is still alive. Second, make sure you have a sharp knife. More people cut themselves with a dull knife than a sharp one. Third, check the animal for growths, tumors, or other injuries that indicate disease or infection in the animal. If it happens to be warmer out, watch out for the deer tick. This little critter can transmit Lyme disease.

Here are the tools you will need:

1. Sharp knife
2. Small string or zip tie (for tying off the anus)
3. Rubber or latex style disposable gloves
4. Hand wipes (this is optional, but I like to clean my hands up after I’m finished)
5. Butt out ( this is a product I laughed at but now would never go hunting without)

Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to cut the throat for bleeding purposes. It is also not necessary to split the brisket. On this note, never split the brisket or cut the throat if you plan on taking it to a taxidermist, unless you want to pay extra for repairs or a new cape.

Saving the heart and liver

Here in Wisconsin it is recommended that you do not save these or any other internal organ, due to chronic wasting disease. If you love the internal organs that much, go to your local meat supplier and buy inspected organs.

Okay that’s enough lecture, let’s roll up your sleeves and get to work.

1. Follow the breast bone until you find the end of it. Next pinch the hide and pull it away from the body. Then make a small 2-3 inch cut just big enough to insert two fingers. Make sure you do not cut very deep, or you will puncture the intestines.
   
   
2. Now form a ‘V’ with two fingers, and insert into the small hole pointing towards the animal’s pelvic area. Apply upward pressure with your fingers, and with the cutting edge facing upward, cut through the abdominal wall all the way to the pelvis.
   
   
3. Next separate any external reproductive organs of a buck from the abdominal wall, but do not remove them completely. If you do, you will end up with a pile of urine on your animal. Now if this is a Doe, you will need to remove the udder. Carefully pull back on the utter and you will see where it separates from the rest of the carcass. Remember, milk spoils very quickly and can taint your meat if not removed.
   
   
4. Slice between the hams to free the urethra of a buck. You do not need to split the pelvic bone. This is where the ‘butt out’ tool comes in handy.  I will explain how to do this without the tool, and let you decide if you would like to get one.
   
   
5. Make a deep cut around the anus. Make sure you go all the way around, or you will have problems. If this is a doe, the cut should also include the reproductive opening. Now insert your finger into the rectum (butt out tool), and pull towards the animal’s tail.  Tie a string, or I like to use a zip tie around the anus. This prevents any fecal matter from getting on your carcass. Now pull the anus and large intestine into the body cavity.  See, I told you that you no longer need to split the pelvic bone.
   
   
6. Go back up to the ribcage and you will see the diaphragm. You need to cut the diaphragm following the ribcage all the way around to the spine.
7. 
   Next reach up into the chest cavity and feel for the windpipe. Connected to the windpipe is the esophagus. You need to take a firm hold of these, and sever them above your hand. Do not let go. Continue your firm grip and pull down, continuing to cut where necessary, being careful not to cut the stomach. Since you have already followed the diaphragm around to the spine, there should be very little connective tissue left.
   
   
8. Roll the carcass to one side, and the entrails will spill out. Check the animal for any remaining organs, and if stomach and intestines were severed, make sure you wash out the body cavity as soon as possible.
   
   
9. You are finished.  I know this sounds like a lot, but it actually only take less than ten minutes. Now get your carcass to your local meat processor, taxidermist, or get it hung in a tree with a bag of ice. 

Check out my other helpful guides

1. How to hang a deer by the hind legs
2. How to skin a deer - coming soon
3. How to cape out a deer - coming soon
4. How to process a deer - coming soon