What do you do after your antelope is down?

[Airborne1]

Last year my dad and I killed 4 antelope. The first 2 antelope we butchered in the field without field dressing them and received a $400 fine for not retrieving the inner tenderloins when WGFD showed up at our camp later in the day!! Needless to say the other 2 antelope we killed the following morning were field dressed, brought back to camp, hung from a tree and butchered the old fashion way!! We noticed that the antelope that were butchered without field dressing tasted fantastic while the 2 we field dressed and brought back to camp weren't quite as delicious but still quite tasty. Wondered how others handled thier antelope after harvesting?

 

[Wags]

if your careful, you can remove the tenderloin without a complete field dressing. Takes a little practice but you can get to them after you remove the backstraps. Theres a video somewhere ive seen that shows how to do this. Ive been doing it the last couple years and man is it nice not have to deal with a gut pile!

Ill try to find that video for you.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I haven't gutted a animal in years! Why? We pack our animals out on our backs. We quarter, debone, and pack out. The small little loins are not required to remove in Nv.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

if your careful, you can remove the tenderloin without a complete field dressing. Takes a little practice but you can get to them after you remove the backstraps. Theres a video somewhere ive seen that shows how to do this. Ive been doing it the last couple years and man is it nice not have to deal with a gut pile!

Ill try to find that video for you.

I've seen this before too but haven't tried it.

 

[Wags]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwNVZXbbIuo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXuOq4jz34A

hope this helps!

 

[Wags]

I haven't gutted a animal in years! Why? We pack our animals out on our backs. We quarter, debone, and pack out. The small little loins are not required to remove in Nv.

Regardless of regs. The tenderloin is my absolute favorite piece of meat, so there's no way im leaving without it!

 

[buckbull]

Ouch! Thats not my definition of wanton waste but I guess my definition isn't worth squat.

 

[hardstalk]

Even gutless the loins are accessible. One of the best cuts on em.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I immediately gutless field dress (remove quarters and backstraps), then carefully cut a small slit in the upper part of the stomach near the backbone and retrieve the tenderloins. I then put each quarter in a separate 45 gallon garbage bag, press out the air and tie it off. I put the backstraps in a separate one. Then SUBMERGE everything in ice. Make sure you keep the ice chest well drained and restocked with ice. Usually when I have been hunting, it is hot, and I want to get the temperature of the meat down quickly. I can carry this about 5 days with no problems before cutting the meat.

You may hear people say "never put meat in plastic bags". That is true if it is not chilled, because you retain heat AND moisture, which a terrible combination. You will notice almost all meat in the big markets comes to the markets in large pieces chilled and in plastic bags. Very few markets actually cut from the carcass any longer.

 

[Doe Nob]

Proof of sex question - My buddy and I are going hunting antelope for a week and could possible have 3 bucks and 4 does from 3 different states in the back of the truck each if we both tag out. Can we just save the heads from all the animals and is that sufficient proof or do we need to have something attached to the quarters?

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Heads are not proof enough. You will need some special parts left attached to the quarters

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Proof of sex question - My buddy and I are going hunting antelope for a week and could possible have 3 bucks and 4 does from 3 different states in the back of the truck each if we both tag out. Can we just save the heads from all the animals and is that sufficient proof or do we need to have something attached to the quarters?

That depends on the regulations of the particular state. Usually you have to leave proof of sex attached a quarter. We normally take our animals to a meat processor between hunts and have them cut and wrapped and carry them on dry ice as we move state to state.

 

[Airborne1]

That depends on the regulations of the particular state. Usually you have to leave proof of sex attached a quarter. We normally take our animals to a meat processor between hunts and have them cut and wrapped and carry them on dry ice as we move state to state.

The Wyoming game warden told us all that was required from a doe antelope was a piece of the udder showing at least 1 teet.

 

[Airborne1]

Thanks Wags, the video is a huge help!!

 

[ssliger]

I watched a similar video 2 years ago. Every animal since has been gutless. It is quite simple to get the tenderloins out. Getting the meat cooled is the most important thing.

 

[Airborne1]

Ouch! Thats not my definition of wanton waste but I guess my definition isn't worth squat.

The definition of edible portions lists the inner tenderloin as well as the other obvious cuts of meat. It was my own fault for not reading the definition of "Edible Portions". The game warden was very professional and polite, just my own screw up!!

 

[trkytrack2]

Proof of sex question - My buddy and I are going hunting antelope for a week and could possible have 3 bucks and 4 does from 3 different states in the back of the truck each if we both tag out. Can we just save the heads from all the animals and is that sufficient proof or do we need to have something attached to the quarters?

I wouldn't rely on anyone's word of mouth. I would, for sure, have a copy of each states regulations and read them thoroughly. It will tell in black and white what you need in each state for evidence of sex. The game warden excuse could cost you some big bucks ($$$$).

 

[HiMtnHnter]

I wouldn't rely on anyone's word of mouth. I would, for sure, have a copy of each states regulations and read them thoroughly. It will tell in black and white what you need in each state for evidence of sex. The game warden excuse could cost you some big bucks ($$$$).

It's relatively easy to get the inside loins doing the gutless method after a little practice. It should be the very last thing you do. I had a Wyoming game warden show up at just the right time and watch me do it a few years ago. He had never seen it done and said that I had taken all the required meat off of the animal. . .

 

[hardstalk]

This is the best vid I have seen on the subject. Loins with ease.

http://vimeo.com/m/27839614

 

[WapitiBob]

I saw that video once last year and that was one time too many. He just as well used a hatchet.

Loins are right at the last full rib. Just cut the membrane between the gut sack and short ribs, back towards the ham, reach in and snip them out.