Thread: Gutting in the field

G’day team, this may come across as a silly question but it’s pretty genuine. Is there a rule (can do or should not do) when it comes to gutting out in the field?

Example: I’m out in some blue gum forestry and shoot myself a deer. Can I gut it there? if so do I need to remove the guts into a rubbish bag and bring it back with me or leave it for nature to deal with haha.

Thanks )

Leave it for nature

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Thanks you

Use your best attempts to leave it out of sight. No matter where you are. Even if it's just in behind a bit of tussock. I always slash the gut bag so it doesn't blow up and it lets the bugs in to start the decomposing.

Yip, Im the same
Do your best to conceal it, but then again I hunt mainly on private land
The guts out of a Tahr or Cham I wouldn't worry to much, only because the Keas are probably onto it quick smart

You will want to gut it in place, to roughly halve the carrying weight, and to cool the meat down (the gut retains a lot of heat if left in the animal).

If there is pigs or predator fowl in the area the guts won't last long, but as others have said, don't leave it where other people wouldn't want to find it. Leaving it somewhere nasty will contribute to eroding the reputation of hunting.

If I hunt on a private lane and I know there is a problem with rodents and possums.
Will this gut and carcass make the issue worse or I shouldn't worry about it and do u know how long the smell will linger.
Thanks

Attempt to bury it so it's not exposed. If the beasties want it they'll get it, but covering it will let the worms etc to have a go too, and provide protection for maggots etc so it breaks down as quickly as possible

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

and make sure it's not in a water course

Also good to gut as soon as you can (if possible) otherwise they bloat up heaps from gas in the stomach. Also helps cool the meat down quickly as others have mentioned. Obviously try and be as clean as you can and avoid as much dirt contamination etc as possible although there is only so much you can do to avoid this.

Ok, another silly question

If I am not keen on digging and prefer to leave the gut out in the open (out of sight and away from waterway)
Is it a good idea to put rat poison around the gut or carcass
to keep rodent populations under control.

I am trying to keep the birds happy or will the rat poison backfire on the birds?
Sorry, it's a silly question, I know.

Big no to poison as you don't know what else you'll kill. Nature will take care of it real quick.

Don’t get too hung up about gutting animals. As others have said. Don’t leave in water courses or where decaying remains might offend others such as nearby residents, try and leave in less visible areas. This might upset some individuals but I shoot a lot of animals most weeks both for meat recovery and to waste. You’d be surprised how quickly animals break down, especially if there’s scavengers around. And no, don’t leave rat bait by remains. There’s enough problems brodificarm problems out there already.

Originally Posted by Snap 4T

Ok, another silly question

If I am not keen on digging and prefer to leave the gut out in the open (out of sight and away from waterway)
Is it a good idea to put rat poison around the gut or carcass
to keep rodent populations under control.

I am trying to keep the birds happy or will the rat poison backfire on the birds?
Sorry, it's a silly question, I know.

short awnser no rat bait is better put out in proper bait stations that keeps birds safer - just leave gut bag out of creeks rivers drag out of sight and leave - nature will do the rest - but if Mr or Mrs Piggy is around sneak up and have a look early morning or evening a few days later shot a few tasty piggys on deer gut bags

I'd say out of site away from roads, tracks and waterways, if hunting on private property/farms, just ask the owner what he would like you to do to dispose of the gut bag, in an offal hole would be the most respectful in my opinion.