Delivering deer to the game dealer

[casts_by_fly]

Hi guys,

 

I'm not a stalker here. I used to shoot deer in the US but you don't sell them there (illegal). These are probably basic questions, but i was curious. When you shoot a deer here intending to sell it, what field dressing and home dressing do you do before the game dealer? How long do you keep it before you deliver it?

 

In the US, you'd gut the deer out in the field (leaving the guts in the woods) and drag the deer back to the car whole and in the fur. Some guys quarter them out to carry them instead of dragging, and the bigger deer (elk, moose) you have to quarter. You bring them like that to the butcher where he does all of the work and you pick up wrapped meat.

 

For roe (for instance), would you gut them in the field? Leave the guts? Do you do any cutting/butchery in the field? How long do you keep them before you deliver? Does the dealer take them still 'warm', i.e. fresh from the field or do you need to cool them down first?

 

Thanks,

Rick

[Brad93]

Deer has to be gutted as quick as possible as to not taint the meat. Some pople

Do it in in the field others do it once the deer is back to the car.

Then you need to get it into the chiller as quick as possible.

[Dekers]

The Grollach should be completed asap, it used to be said, Grollach them before they hit the ground!

[casts_by_fly]

fair enough. So the gralloching is the same as we'd do it back home. Chilling wasn't ever an issues since we'd be hunting mostly in cold weather and the deer would be cold before you got back to the truck.

 

Then is it straight to the dealer from there? What about people who don't own a chiller? Would you ice pack it inside the cavity overnight and then deliver the next day (for exceptionally warm years this is what we'd do)?

 

Are there any UK websites that go through the basics like this? It would make a good evening read for me.

 

thanks,

rick

[Brad93]

BASC deer department or British Deer society.

[Dunkield]

It would depend on the relationship with the game dealer, the good old fashioned ones would trust stalkers to drop game off in the chiller and leave a phone number.

When they had weighed it they would call the hunter to collect their money or post out a cheque.

[Blackpowder]

Dont you need a qualification before you can sell deer? Trained hunter at least.

 

Blackpowder

[Dunkield]

This

 

http://www.bds.org.uk/new_game_meat_laws.html

[malkiserow]

fair enough. So the gralloching is the same as we'd do it back home. Chilling wasn't ever an issues since we'd be hunting mostly in cold weather and the deer would be cold before you got back to the truck.

 

Then is it straight to the dealer from there? What about people who don't own a chiller? Would you ice pack it inside the cavity overnight and then deliver the next day (for exceptionally warm years this is what we'd do)?

 

Are there any UK websites that go through the basics like this? It would make a good evening read for me.

 

thanks,

rick

 

Maybe sign yourself up to the Best Practice Guide from snh.gov.uk and you will get updates for life .... the guide is a VERY informative read.

[Scully]

We gralloch before taking to the cold store (shed) and then remove the head, legs at first joint, and leave to hang head down after weighing which is done on sheep scales. Ring our game dealer who gives us a date and time to meet one of his lads then we place it in the freezer if it's going to be a day or two dependant on weather.

[henry d]

As above, gralloch in field, back to larder and remove bung, split chest remove feet and head.

[Blunderbust]

I gralloch mine in the field and then straight to the game dealer, he is only about 14 miles from my ground. Any that I keep get the same treatment but are then hung in the chill till I am ready to skin and butcher.

[moose man]

...This is my way ..from the hook , on the Quad , to the van , wash out at home & in the coldroom ..The hoist is from the US , think it was about 9$ when I bought it , they are about £14 here .I find it keeps every thing as clean as possible , easy handling & quick ..