Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    
     Well I'm twisting... Let's here about the doe.....
    
                                               Mark

    Let's hear the details!
    
    Mark.

    
    I hunted Southern Vermont this bow season.  We scouted (5 of us
    that have been hunting together for years) this area for 5 weeks
    before the season.  
    
    One of the guys has a trail timer.  Its a great little invention
    basically it is a digital watch with a trip lever.  The timer is
    attached to a tree, some thread is attached to the trip lever and
    across a deer run.   When the deer comes by and breaks the thread
    the clock stops.  This tells you the date and time that the deer
    are moving through the area.
    
    	Well our timer told us that deer were feeding this area (lots
    of acorns) between 4:30 and 6:30pm everyday.  By the tracks left near
    the timers we were finding lots of deer of various sizes.
    
    	Openning day, the morning stand, proved the deer did not feed
    this spot in the morning.  Not a deer came by.  But the evening
    stand (3:30 til 7:00 ) proved our timers were correct.  
    
    	I used a portable tree stand and climbed 25 feet up a nice oak.
    Acorns were dropping like crazy almost sounding like rain on the
    dry leafed forest floor.
    
    	A large doe crossed the top of the west ridge in front of me at
    about 6:10 feeding slowly traveling south and too far for me to
    shoot.
    
    	At 6:20 my doe came from the North heading directly for my tree
    on a Southerly move.  She stopped directly below me.  I tried not
    to get too excited and aimed just behind the front legs, high on her
    left side.  I ended up hitting her in the head.  She dropped
    immediately but was still breathing I attempted to put another arrow
    in her but missed.  At that point she got up and ran falling and
    bumping into trees.  I watched her aimlessly fall and roam until
    she went out of sight.  I waited 1/2 hour and then decide to 
    trail her, hoping to find her dead before nightfall.  
    	At 7:10 I found her along side a stone wall about 1/2 mile from
    the orignal hit spot.  Her backlegs were standing and her front
    legs were down.  I put the 2nd arrow just behind her right front
    leg.  She took off through the forest.  I could hear her hitting
    trees and falling but she ran for a long way.
    	We followed the blood trail until 9:30 pm.  We kept pushing
    her.  Although I hated the thought of leaving her to die and possibly
    loosing her to the coyotes or fischer cats I decided to stop the
    tracking for the night.
    
    	Early the next morning I continued tracking.  A little helpful
    note here.  When I was tracking the blood trail  I used toilet paper
    to mark the blood trail.  Sticking a few sheets at eye level every ten 
    yards or so.  This makes it easier for picking up the trail or for back
    tracking in case you lose the trail.  I tracked her from 7:00 am
    until 12:00 noon before I came upon her (a few miles).  She was
    lying next to a stone wall.  I thought she was dead but as I approached
    her she popped up her head and bolted like a shot.  
    	Since I thought I was looking for a dead deer I didn't have
    an arrow knocked in my bow.  I was shocked to find her alive.  Remember
    this deeer has two arrows in her.  Well I got an arrow set and started
    to track her again.  I was determined that I was not going to lose
    this deer.  I couldn't stand the thought of this deer slowly dying
    for days or weeks.   About a 1/4 mile later across a ravine and
    over a brook I spotted her trying to lie down next to a stone wall.
    I got within 15 yards and put another arrow in her this time just
    behind her left front leg.  SHE TAKES OFF AGAIN.  This deer has
    three arrows in her.  I waited awhile, 20 minutes or so and started
    to track her again.  About 1/4 mile I see her standing there with
    3 arrows sticking out.  At about 20 yards another arrow was placed
    into her right side AGAIN she took off.  I could not figure what
    she was running on.  Remember she has lost a lot of blood to this
    point.
    	I waited another 1/2 hour and then started to track again. 
    She managed another 1/4 mile or so but fell trying to climb a steep
    ridge.  She couldn't get up.  I put one more arrow into her to
    put an end to her suffering.
    
    	She tooks us a few miles and took 5 arrows.  It was NOT a story
    book hunt nor was it all that pretty (I hated to see the animal
    suffer)  BUT I was grateful I did not lose her.  I was determined
    to track her down and did.            
    
    	For my first deer I was proud.  108 lbs Doe.

    Not to pick nits, but...
    
    I do not bow hunt for reasons such as the details of the hunt described
    in 61.3.  Therefore, this is probably a very naive question.
    
    Why did you try to dispose of the deer with arrows?  It would seem
    to me that if you slit the deer's throat after you found her felled
    by the first arrow, you could have saved a day of slow dying.  I've
    been hunting deer for seven years, yet, I find the fact that a doe
    had to withstand 3 arrows and several chases before mercifully
    succumbing (probably as much from exhaustion as from bleeding)
    extremely unnecessary and revolting.
    
    Again, I probably don't know what I'm talking about, but I do feel
    that it is every hunter's obligation to QUICKLY kill his or her
    quarry.
    
    BTW, you did go back to remove your toilet paper, right?
    
    Mark.

    
    I've been bow hunting for about 6 years, live in Vermont, and have
    yet to bag my first.  I've had several oppurtunities for shots,
    but pass them up for some reason, guess I'm waiting for a clean
    kill.  I give the author of this note very much credit for sticking
    with it.  I'm sure he didn't feel too good about having the deer
    suffer, be he was committed to getting that deer.  I know too many
    people that give up early, only to take the stand again and drive
    another arrow into another deer.  It's easier to hunt on the stand
    then track a poorly placed shot.  I must say I cringe when I hear
    stories like this, just from the suffering point of view.  By the
    way, when you gutted the deer, where did the 2nd and 3rd arrows go,
    did they hit any vital organs?  What about the one in the head,
    did it penetrate the skull?  I'm only asking these questions so
    they can help me better understand why a deer would go so long with
    so many razor blades in her body.  Once again I commend your
    commitment, but wish it were the rule rather than the exception.
    
    Kevin

    mark, ease up a bit here... its the guys first deer and thing like
    slitting the deers throat was probably the furthest thing from his
    mind. and from the discription of the first hit, would not have
    been an alternative. If you don't believe in bow hunting because
    of the gore and such, thats fine, but thats also your decision,
    not everyone's.  In this day and age when the anti's are everywhere
    and getting stronger, us hunters must stick together. As far as
    bowhunting goes, don't knock it till youve tried it. You must realize
    that this particular rendition is not the norm, deer iv'e shot during
    the bowseason have all been one shot kills, and most others I either
    hunted with or heard about have been also... I would however suggest
    that he probably use a heavier weight bow, maybe practice his shooting
    a little, and definately aim lower when shooting from tree stands.
    
    You asked the guy for a story and he gave it to ya.... Mark, when
    your hunting and have the "need" to use toilet paper do you stuff
    it back into your pockets??? It is biodegradable is it not... and
    after one rain, his tracking paper will be out of the trees.
    
    Fra  
    
    

    Congrats on your "first".  I can remember how excited I was when
    it was my turn.  I am assuming that your emotions took control of
    your shooting skills and was the reason for the poor dispatch of
    the animal.  Anyway, I know you are happy with your first kill but
    please keep the details to a minimum.  There is no need to fuel
    the "anti's".  Congrats again....... and don't worry about the toilet
    paper because it's biodegradable. 
    
    -Dave

    Wow!
    
    Sounds like the luck of an MSB engineer to me.
    
    What do you do in MSB?  Work on the H/W Clock?
    
    I'm going bear hunting this afternoon in Maine.  Can I borrow your
    clock?
    
    :-)
    
    Brett.

        
    First of all, if I appeared to be harsh, I apologize.  I thought
    by qualifying my questions as "naive", I would avoid coming across
    as judgemental.  Again, I apologize for coming across as critical.
    
    I guess my problem is the fact that the animal suffered.  Like most
    hunters, I have mixed emotions when downing an animal.  I remember
    when I shot my first deer I felt remorse for the death of a beautiful
    animal, but I felt proud at the fact that a hard hunt culminated
    in success, and overall probably helped the herd in the area I hunted.

    If it wasn't for the presence of my father, who has 35+ years of 
    hunting experience, I probably would not have had the presence
    of mind to finish off the deer.  I learned alot that day, and it
    carried over to my next hunting season, when I bagged a nice buck.
    Dad wasn't with me that day, and it took about 15 minutes for me
    to calm down enough to dress out the deer.  Therefore I can identify
    with that being his first deer.
    
    Congratulations on taking your first deer with a bow.  That is no
    insignificant feat.

    Mark.

    Congratulations on your first deer with a bow!!!  I think you did
    a great job of sticking to it and not leaving the deer.
    
    I am very suprised at the number of hits it took and would like
    to hear more about the placement of the shots, the penetration,
    and the size of the wounds.
    
    It doesn't take a very heavy bow to kill a deer, but it does take
    very sharp broadheads.  I got my first (and only) bowkill many
    years ago.  It was a 150 pound doe.  I shot it at 40 yards with
    a 43 lb recurve bow.  It left a blood trail 6 inches wide and
    she ran about 100 yards.   After hearing this story, maybe I
    just got lucky....
    
    Mark
    

    RE:10 Your right, it dosn't take a very heavy bow to kill a deer but
    from the sound of it the deer was running around with 3-4 arrows
    hanging out of it... you have to wonder on the placement/penetration.
    A heavier bow would insure that any bone hit on the way would be
    smashed/penetrated upon the hit.
    
    From the sound of the way the deer ran all night, I have to think
    the deer might have been gut shot a couple of times. 
    
    Anyways, congrats on your first and hope you have many more in the
    future, although not with as much difficulty ;^)...
    
    Fra
    

    
    	To try and answer questions ...
    
    	The first arrow was definitely poorly placed.  It penitrated
    the scull an inch beyond the broadhead.  The deer would have died
    from this shot.  It appeared to blind her on her left side and also
    caused her to stumble whenever she ran.  The 2nd arrow although
    placed well hit high on the body cavity hitting the right lung but
    missing the heart.  The third and fourth shots penitrated the lungs
    The last arrow collapsed both lungs.  The liver ,heart, nor any of
    the stomaches (gut shot) were ever hit.
    	The bow I used is a 55# compound.  After the 3rd arrow
    I borrowed my hunting partner's 65# compound for the 4th arrow,
    thinking my 55# was not doing the job.
        
    	Although this was my first deer I have been involved with deer
    hunts and tracking hit deer over the years.  This definitely was
    the farthest I have ever had to track a deer,  but not the most
    gruesome of hunts. 
    
    	Now hindsight is wonderful and more useful if applied to future
    situations.   
    
    	A stronger bow 65# plus is a good suggestion.  Better shot
    placement is even a better suggestion.  
    
    	Sliting the throat of a wounded deer is pretty stupid.  You
    have undoubtedly have never seen a wounded deer flail its hooves.  
    The hooves could take a good chunk out of your head as you try
    to play Jim Bowie.
    
    	The difficult part of bow hunting is shot placement.  The kill
    shots that drop a deer the quickest are hits to the heart, liver
    or both lungs. If you hit these vital organs the deer will probably
    go a short distance and drop. If you miss you have to be willing to
    finish the job.   Leaving a wounded deer is unforgivable.  I did
    what I had to to finish the job.
                                    
    

    re .0  Second the vote for Black Angus Beef. Right in my hometown,
    i've had two deer cut up there, quick and professional. And while
    you're there, pick up some kielbasa - john Polanski makes the BEST.
    
    Dana Charbonneau
    

    in regards to Black Angus Beef... where is it located in regards
    to Leominster Ma...
    
    Fra

    Black Angus Beef is in Ludlow.  From Leominster the fastest way
    to get there is to go south on 190 to 290 south.  In Auburn pick up the
    Mass Pike West.  Take the Ludlow exit off the Mass pike.  It is
    approximately 60 miles from Sterling Ma. (my home).  
    
    	I would suggest calling them for specific directions off of
    the Ludlow exit.  I would probably get you lost 
                                                       
    	If you hunt Western Mass or Southern Vermont their location
    is convenient.

    re .12
    
      I second your decision NOT to go flaying away at the deer throat
    with a knife. 
    
      There was a strange deer taken a couple of years ago in NY state.
    Seems this particular buck got into a scrap over his girlfriend
    with another good sized buck. Their horns got locked, which isn't
    unusual in and of itself. But after their horns were locked the
    one our deer was fighting with died. You would think that the other
    deer would've died also, locked in a death grip by the dead bucks
    horns. But no, what he did was flay away at the dead deer with his
    front hooves and "cut the other dead deer's head off at the middle
    of the neck"!
    
     They had a picture of this in Outdoor Life or Field & Stream (I
    can't remember which). Strangest thing I've ever seen!
    
      This pretty well sums up why you should treat wounded deer with
    the same respect (while approaching them) as you would a bear...
    
    
    joe

    Its has been documented many times where some unlucky hunter tried
    to slit the throat of a deer and ended up with hoove marks in his
    forehead. Its not a good idea......
    
    sjn

    Well i'll tell ya, its kinda a rough situation sometimes... Last
    year I shot mine during the bow season, registered a good hit, climbed
    down from the tree I was in, and immediatly picked up the tracks
    and the blood trail, found the deer not 30 ydsfrom where i shot
    him, he was laying there kicking (not thrashing) and gasping for
    breath.... Now please tell me what you would do??? 
    
    1. stand there and watch the animal suffer till he expires.
    2. drive 1 or 2 more arrows into him, then stand and watch him expire
    a little quicker then before.
    3. carefully aproach the deer and slit its throat.
    
    Now i'm certainly not saying that in all situations, slitting the
    throat is the thing to do, but you as a hunted have to decide when
    the circumstances warrant this.  I would say that in most bowhunting
    situations where you could almost step on the deer and he wouldn't
    budge, this would be the time to break out the knife and end his
    suffering.  Unless of course, your a sadistic bastard and feel no
    compassion while the thing looks at you and suffocates.
    
    I feel that driving another arrow into a deer thats down for the
    count is not only repulsive but a waste of effort.
    
    Now in the event that you are tracking a deer and jump him, then
    yes I think you should fire another round into him, whether it be
    archery or rifle season. 
    
    Fra

    I was talking with a conservation officer in NH last year and the
    subject of slicing a deers throat was brought up. He said "The law
    states that deer can be taken with bow and arrow and firearms ONLY,
    and that slicing its throat to finish a deer off is not only dangerous
    but violates this law". I also have heard the horror stories of
    people trying to slice a deers throat. The one that sticks out in
    my mind is the guy who had his throat REMOVED by a deers hoof. So,
    I recommend that if you wound a deer, finish it off with whatever
    your hunting it with.
    
    My .02 worth
    Steve

    My congrads on your first... Nice going. I've been hunting for some
    time and still am looking for my first. It doesn't relly bother
    me, as long as I have a good time, knowing I gave it my best effort,
    and if someone in the party gets one.. great!
    
     One question. You said that you tracked the deer until 9:00 or
    something like that. Is it legal to remian in the woods after sunset?
    I would certainly do the same thing,but I'm just wondering what
    would happen if a warden was waiting at your car ..... I assume
    you had a flashlight, I won't leave the cabin without one, and you
    have your weapon.....
    
     Smitty

     I agree with those that are wary of trying to cut a deers throat.
    I haven't bow hunted but have shot several deer with both shotguns
    and rifles.  In several instances, the animal was still kicking
    when I got to it.  Aproach any animal even if assumed dead, from
    the rear.  Observe it for a minute or so, I usually poke them around
    the eye to see if there is a reaction.  If there is any indication
    that there is life still in them, I shoot again.  
     Another point, If you plan on having the deer mounted, you'll do
    a good job of ruining the mount if you slit the throat.  Most, if
    not all taxidermists will advise against it.
    Jeff

    
    Is it legal to carry a pistol when bow hunting?? If so then could
    you dispatch the deer with this?? I know this may not be "truly"
    taking the deer with a bow, but it does prevent the animal from
    suffering.  
    
    I have no idea if this is legal, if it is it seems like a good idea.
    
    re -.1:  You say to probe the eye area, what do you do this with??
    I have never gotten a deer and when the time comes, the last thing
    I want to happen is that I attempt to gut a live deer.
    
    --Bob	

    It's not legal in MASS when bow hunting and i don't think it's
    legal in VT either....
    
    If you pack a pistol while bow hunting DON'T get caught with it
    cause the warden will wack your pee-pee and take away your
    birthday.....
    
    Just call the F&G dept. and they'll tell ya...
    
    SAFE HUNTING...
    Steve
    

    re.-22  see note 40 
    
    I know that a C.O. must be notified within 24 hours of taking a
    deer with a bow in N.H. I believe this to check for the illegal
    use of a firearm.
    
    ..Rick

    It is NOT leagal to carry any kind of firearm while bow hunting
    in Vt.!  Not even a shotgun!  I thought of doing that in case I
    jumped some partridge, but its a no-no.
    
    Apparently when you bring your dear in they do this little test
    to make sure there is no gun powder residue in the wound. Don't
    ask me how, but they do!
    
    Ken

    I'd be cautious about going to a heavier bow.  Last year I
    practiced all summer with my bow and was shooting very well.
    I could comfortably handle the draw weight.  I then went
    hunting in Penn. for a week.  The weather was cold!  After
    several hours of sitting perfectly still freezeing to death
    in my tree stand I started wondering if I could still draw the bow.
    I couldn't.  I expect the adrenaline (sp?) would have taken care
    of that if I'd actually been drawing on a deer, but it was an 
    important lesson to me that shooting in hunting conditions are very
    different from target practicing!
    
    Mark,
    

    Guns of any kind while bowhunting is not allowed in Vt, can't say
    for sure about tother states but I would think the same rule would
    apply.
    
    Regarding an almost dead deer, one that is expiring and is not
    thrashing around (read that: not going to hoove you to death) I
    can't just sit there and watch the damn thing expire slowly, and
    putting another arrow into it is not gonna help matters.  Besides
    the fact that you ruin alot of meat by bloodsoaking... more later,
    interrupted....
    
    Fra

    I called the NH F&G and its okay to have a pistol with you when
    you Bow Hunt but you cannot, I repeat, cannot use the pistol in
    any way to harvest the deer. Even to dispatch the wounded deer.
    The pistol may come in handy if you run into a pissed off black
    bear though :^)..........
    
    sjn

    re: .15
    
    Fra,
    
    try Germains and Sons In Berlin. Its closer and he did a fine job
    with my venison.
    
    re: in the woods after dark...
    
    We had this scenario in N.H. two years ago. We were told the right
    thing to do is contact a Game Warden before continuing pursuit after
    dark. He'll advise you what you can bring (your bow, etc.) along
    with your light. We had a wounded deer during blackpowder and he
    allowed us to finish her then.
    
    Guy

    GOOD GOING ON YOUR FIRST. I WISH IT COULD HAVE GONE A LITTLE EASIER
    FOR YOU. I KNOW HOW YOU FELT BECAUSE I GOT MY FIRST IN P.A. THIS
    YEAR AND HAD TO GO BACK IN THE MORNING FOR HER. I ALSO JUST GOT
    MY SECOND IN N.H. YESTERDAY. THINGS WENT A LOT BETTER THIS TIME
    I FOUND HER ABOUT 70 YARDS FROM WHERE I SHOT HER. THE ARROW WENT
    IN JUST BEHIND THE LEFT SHOULDER AND CAME OUT HER CHEST. DID THE
    JOB QUICK AND EASY. 
    
    I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN THE FUTURE.
    
    
    P.S. I DIDN,T CUT THE THROATS FOR FEAR OF MY OWN.
    
    

    Why would any one want to cut a deers throat?  If the animal has
    a significant wound to the heart/lung region the brain has already
    lost it source of oxygen.  In fact you are accomplishing nothing.
    The deer can't even drown because its lungs aren't working.
    
    If the deer was injured elsewhere and was immobilized do to loss
    of blood or broken spine I would shoot it again in the neck just
    below the skull.  However, if I had no ammo/arrows left I would
    crush the skull with a good size stone from the blind side of the
    animal as opposed to cutting it's throat and risking injury.  Had
    to do this on one occasion during NH muzzleloading and it was quite
    effective (although now I'm told it was illegal).
    
    -Dave

    crush the skull with a good sized stone?????
    
    Do you hunt along rockwalls exclusively... ;^) This is even more
    repulsive than watching it die slowly..... i think i'll just sit
    longer after the shot before i track the deer next time ;^) 
    
    Fra

    Hey Dave,
        Did you have that rock mounted with the deer? Or did you take
    pictures?
    
    
             

    Hey Dave,
        In case you didn't catch the humor in that last statement
    I was just kidding around! But a ROCK!!
    
    PT

    
    	Since I'm not a regular noter here I haven't gone
    	through all these replies and don't know of where 
    	else to ask this.
    
    	One of the engineers in my group is looking for 
    	a specialty butcher shop in the Southern NH area.
    	He's specifically looking for venison.
    
    	Please do not reply here but send him mail at
    	DDIF::BRAMHALL.  His name is Mark.
    
    	Thanks
    	Judy Chaisson

    	This note seemed to take a left turn somewhere around reply 20.
    
    	Would anyone like to recommend their favorite meat cutter/butcher to
    	this note. I'm interested in southern Worcester County (Ma.). 

    there's a guy in Hubbardston/Westminster that does a terrific job, can
    grind the meat into hamburg and has a walk in cooler to keep the deer
    in while waiting for your number at the deli to come up...  :^)
    a nice option should you take one early in the season while it's still
    warm out.
    
    Name is Ed Norris... Harrington Rd.  (508)874-0455
    
    Fra

 When I got my deer a couple of years ago, I got it butchered by Bob (Boudreau?)
in Nashua. He (and his crew) did a wonderful job. There was a "for sale" sign out
on his lawn at the time. Did he move? To where? (I just want to be prepared
if and when the big day comes. :-)

 The Doctah

    Hello,
    
    I was hoping that someone could point me to a butcher in the 
     Fitchburg-Leominister(Centrall Ma.) or Spencer Ma. area. My 
     brother-in-law has just returned form Maine with a nice Doe.
    
     Thanks

    	I had mine butchered at Jetti's Chop Shop. He in Spencer
    	885-5831. I haven't open any of the packages so I won't 
    	comment on the quality. It wrapped is white freeze paper.
    
    	Frank

 A friend of mine is available this season to cut up your monster deer.
He is a meat cutter by trade and due to the economy has plenty of time
this season. He has cut up my deer and has done a great job. He'll cut
it up while your there so you know it's your deer you are eating.
He's asking $40 
 Ed is located in Holden Mass @ 508-829-9153

re:.39...

                     <<< Note 61.39 by GIAMEM::DESCHAMPS >>>
                        -< Butcher in Central Mass. ? >-

Do people read the replys before entering a note??? ;^)

read .37 theres a guy located just outside fo Westminster, Ed Norris

give him a try!

Fra

    
    re .38 
    
> When I got my deer a couple of years ago, I got it butchered by Bob (Boudreau?)
>in Nashua. He (and his crew) did a wonderful job. There was a "for sale" sign out
>on his lawn at the time. Did he move? To where? (I just want to be prepared
>if and when the big day comes. :-)
    
    I got my first this year, and I live in Nashua. I got a fellows name
    out of "Hawkeye" a NH hunting and fishing newspaper. He is located in
    Nashua, basically behing Bishop Gueretin High School (if you know the
    area, there is an elementary school right down the street from him and
    it is directly across from a running track).  Anyway, he did my deer.
    I called about 10 AM Monday, dropped it off at 7 PM, picked it up 
    the next morning.  It was done at 11 PM Monday, but I had just gone
    to bed when he called.
    
    He does it out of a garage and has no cooler facilities, when I dropped
    mine off there were 5 or 6 infront of it. 
    
    comes back double wrapped and labelled, you get whatever you ask for.
    
    cost $40.
    
    His name is Mike Tocci, phone: (603)881-5671
    
    he has been here for 3 years, and cutting up meat for 16.
    
    Can't say he did a good/bad job since it is the first one, but it looks
    like good meat and a nice assortment of cuts
    
    --Bob
    

    
    
     I had someone tell me about Mike just on Monday.  They had only good
     things to say about him. They said you could actually sit and wait for
     him to finish the job.  
    
    
     Lance
    

    
    There was a guy there on Monday watching his get cut up, he seems 
    to do all the ones he gets right away. Since he has no cooler, he
    said if I wanted he could jump mine closer to the front of the line.
    Since I didn't expect it back for a day or two, I said don't bother, 
    I had to be someplace else anyway. i would have liked to see it done
    though, just out of curiousity. 
    
    --Bob
    
    

    
    
       The job of butchering a deer is not all that tough, I have been
    butchering my own for quite a few years. I debone everything, so the 
    tools involved are 2 knifes, and a hacksaw. (i use fillet knifes).
    
      The secret to doing the job right is you have to ALWAYS cut AGAINST
    the grain of the meat(muscle) if you cut with the grain you will have
    shoe leather for steaks.
    
      it takes me about 1.5 hours from start to finish on an adult deer, we
    are basically steak and hamburger eaters, so if you do roast cuts the 
    time to process a deer will be less. we also dont wrap the steaks or
    hamburger, we have found that zip lock bags are the best way to go,
    after you use them wash them out and let them dry and  then you can 
    put them away until next year.
    
     I cringe every time I read the prices that people get for processing 
    deer,  most guys that get 1 or 2 deer a year its not so bad but for the
    guy's that hunt numerous states it could get very costly during a
    season, I am sure my wife wouldnt be so willing to let me hunt so much 
    if it was gonna cost us $120-$200 just to process all our deer.
    
                                                       Lee
    

      Yea, we cut up our own too.  We did the two Quabbin deer on Sunday.
    We started at around two and got done around 6:00 (with a couple of beer
    breaks).  Once you do it a couple of times its easy.  We either make
    steaks or stew meat.  The most tedious task is wrapping everything.
    Next time I might try the plastic bag idea.  We debone everything also.
    
    Jeff
    
    Who can't wait for PA. doe days!

    Lee, Jeff
    
    I hear you on cutting them up yourself.  I had my first cut up then
    have done them all since then.  I think the deer taste better too, do
    you guys let the meat soak in ice water before packaging to draw the
    blood out?
    
    I started using the ziplocks 2 years ago, they are easy and the stuff
    doesn't freezer burn, if you don't eat it that fast.
    
    Good luck and good eating,
    Wess

    I used to process mine until last year when my wife saw me processing
    that 8 pointer in the house.  
    A buddy pulled up to the house with a 7 pointer in his truck, and blood
    was trickling out of the truck into my driveway.  She then walked into
    the kitchen, and it looked like a butcher shoppe.  She walked out to
    the garage and opened the freezer, spotting the deer head.  She wigged
    out and said no more processing at the house.  Now I am lazy so I pay
    someone to process it and bring it home in handy packets like the
    grocery store.
    
    bob
    4 more hours of this crap and I'm outta here until 11-29.
    

 I located a butcher that will come to your house to cut up a deer.

 He charges $25.00 and does the whole thing while you watch. In other words, 
you don't lose any meat. :-) He's not a venison eater.

 Took him less than 2 hours to cut up mine.

 For you Southern New Hampshire, Eastern Mass folks that would like to give 
this a try either this year or next, call;

 Peter Kapsimalis
 Home # 603-664-9230
 Work # 603-895-0010