Frontal shot

[theleo91386]

Why would you waste your time guttingif your just going to quarter the meat up anyway?

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Because you have to cut the spine length ways and across. I cut across the spine just behind the ribs to separate front and back halves, then length ways through the ribs to separate the front quarters, then one last time to separate the hind quarters. If the guts are in the way it's pretty much impossible to truly quarter an elk by yourself.

 

[kidoggy]

I know a guy that always shoots em in the head.he will actually wait for that shot over a broad side. don't know why , but he has a fetish for head shots. I've seen him do it with elk,deer, bear and even a moose once
I personally would rather a broad side , but he is A good shot and I have yet to see him miss or wound an animal. they always drop right in their tracks like a ton of bricks. his go to gun is a .270

 

[Slugz]

I gotta be honest. I'm a little confused with some of the comments and offer the following in no particular order.

1: Frontal shot archery, muzzleloader, rifle is very effective and when executed properly (correct range, angle, animal disposition and projectile ) damages little to no meat.

2: Reccomend anybody that is still quartering by cutting across spines and exposing (spinal fluid) to your meat should review modern techniques for quartering and deboning big game animals, gutless methods and videos that demonstrate how to quarter/debone pack out big game animals while utilizing only one human being.

3: I'd like to think everyone takes at least the minimum meat required by law and tenderloins of big game animals shot in any weapon season.

The best shot to take is one that you practice and study routinely every year in prep for the season and executed with the correct weapon/equipment.

 

[theleo91386]

2: Reccomend anybody that is still quartering by cutting across spines and exposing (spinal fluid) to your meat should review modern techniques for quartering and deboning big game animals, gutless methods and videos that demonstrate how to quarter/debone pack out big game animals while utilizing only one human being.

You've got my attention with this. What method would you recommend with the stipulations that the bone stays in so I have something to tie to, you end up with two matched sets of meat (front quarter x front quarter and hind quarter x quarter), and is quicker than my old school method? At 9 miles from the truck, in ruff country, and no one else to help me, I'm only making one trip.

 

[Slugz]

You've got my attention with this. What method would you recommend with the stipulations that the bone stays in so I have something to tie to, you end up with two matched sets of meat (front quarter x front quarter and hind quarter x quarter), and is quicker than my old school method? At 9 miles from the truck, in ruff country, and no one else to help me, I'm only making one trip.

I can only make the assumption you are in with a least a lead horse and 1/2 pack animals. I'll caveat this with if I'm packing out with a string I always have a lead and 2 pack animals at a minimum. My technique (when terrain allows)

1: Skin down the back, both back straps off, halved and put in gallon zip bags (open to cool while I'm breaking down the rest.
2: Skin and remove a front and rear quarter, bag and hang. ( Caveat I hunt in the timber a lot so 8 times out of 10 I have a branch/tree to tie off to and acts as my second person)
3: Neck meat off from the same side.

Wash, rinse repeat other side. Exception is I may saw off below the knee joints for ease of roll over first.

4: After all the above is done tenderloins out from behind the last rib.

Not saying its quicker at all. I'm personally not gonna expose spinal fluid or cerebral fluid on any meat I wanna get out and or haul the hide/skin unless getting it tanned.

How come the stipulation on bone in? Just for tie off to the pack saddle?

Flip side of all this. If its coming out on human backs I do the same thing

 

[theleo91386]

I guess my only question is what do you consider a front quarter? Most laws say it's the shoulders but I was raised with a front quarter being both the shoulder and ribs from that side. Your method sounds identical to what I do if I only have one pack animal. Shoulder and hind quarter to each side and the rest divided evenly. I've never hunted anywhere that's had cases of things like CWD or the like so the spinal fluid has never been a concern. If I have 2 animals to pack I like taking the ribs with me.

 

[Vikingload]

I usually wait for a better angle, but with the right bullet and steady shot it can be a good shot. I also agree that beyond 100 yards I wouldn't try the shot.


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[Slugz]

I guess my only question is what do you consider a front quarter? Most laws say it's the shoulders but I was raised with a front quarter being both the shoulder and ribs from that side. Your method sounds identical to what I do if I only have one pack animal. Shoulder and hind quarter to each side and the rest divided evenly. I've never hunted anywhere that's had cases of things like CWD or the like so the spinal fluid has never been a concern. If I have 2 animals to pack I like taking the ribs with me.

I cut out the rib meat to save weight.

Sounds like a good plan then!

 

[bigmoose]

I would have to agree with others that a frontal shot is not the best. If it looks like it is going to be your only shot and you have a dead rest and are confident of making the shot, then go for it. I would aim for the center of the chest for a heart shot or just above for a spine shot. Both will be deadly. I would never try a head shot. There are just too many things that can go wrong.

I was able to stalk within 80 yards of this ram by keeping a rock pile between me and him. He was bedded with four other rams and when I peeked my head over a rock, a smaller ram spotted me and they all got up. They were just milling around and trying to figure me out. The big ram was in the middle until he finally walked out and turned towards me. I had a dead rest and dropped him with a spine shot. He went straight down. You can just see a trickle of blood on his chest. This is where he fell. I felt this would be my only shot as they were ready to move out.

 

[buckbull]

I shot a whitetail deer in the front chest about 20 years ago. First and last time I'll ever do that. I'm not sure how you guys are getting away with little meat damage. Both front shoulders were nothing but blood clots. Perhaps its because it was a 12 guage slug. Anyway, after that mess I swore up and down I'd never do that again; and I haven't.