Food Production
Efficient Butchering: 3 Tips from a Lifelong Hunter
Butchering your own kill is the only way to make sure you get the most bang for your buck with your meat, but how do you make sure you're doing it right?
I have butchered my own kills since I was a teenager. When I worked at a bar and grill at the age of 15, I was expected to butcher a whole side of beef for all the meat we could render and now that I am an avid hunter, I always look to get the most out of every kill.
It is a point of pride that we butcher our own meat. That being said, there are some simple tricks that can help anybody make the most of their kill.
Efficient Butchering Tips to Maximize Your Kill
1. Anatomy
Part of being efficient in butchering is knowing the anatomy of mammals. You need to understand that muscles come in groups. You need to know the internal organs common in any mammal as this knowledge will give you a feel of how to handle one.
The first step in butchering any mammal is to gut the carcass. This means you will open up the belly and pull out the internal organs. It is important that you do this carefully because spilling the intestine or stomach can ruin your meat.
Using a knife with a gut hook is a good idea for this process. Most people start between the legs and open up the belly up past the sternum. This opens up all kinds of opportunities for more meat.
- Dependable, sturdy, easy to carry
- Great for everyday use
- Swiss made precision
From the internal organs, you can eat the liver, kidneys, and heart. The liver and kidneys are a bit of an acquired taste, but the heart is a pure delicacy.
My son and wife wait every year for me to bring home deer heart from my hunting ventures. You can also cut just below the jaw to remove the tongue for a tasty meal.
2. Quartering
Once you gut and skin an animal, it brings around the task of quartering the animal. This is a big area where hunters waste meat.
The most important point of focus for quartering an animal is to cut close to the bone. This requires a flexible knife that can work around the joints and tissues of the animal.
It is also important that you bring home parts like the ribs that can be used for several dishes. You have to use every piece of meat. We even use the hides when possible.
3. Butchering
As you cut meat away from the bone, you have to be practical. When dealing with ribs, it is often smarter to cut the meat away from the bone versus freezing the meat with the bones.
When cutting up the shoulders, it is smart to use a saw to cut through bone versus cutting the meat away from the bone. Your goal is to trim every ounce of meat away from bone that you can, but bone-in roasts are fine too.
- Outstanding craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, stunning design elements, and materials. Peak...
- Incredibly razor sharp, full-tang, imported high-carbon German steel with a hand polished edge at...
- With heft, materials and quality feel. Imported black G10-Garolite military grade handle is...
Watch this video about a traditional old-style butcher by Food Farmer Earth:
In the end, your priority must be to use every piece of the animal. Using these tips (and with a little practice), you should be able to make the most out of your kill. Hopefully, you could also encourage yourself to be efficient in your butchering skills so this tradition can continue.
What do you think about these efficient butchering tips? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Up Next: Beginner’s Guide To Having an Outdoor Herb Garden | Survival Gardening
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 26, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
-
Paracord Projects1 year ago
Paracord Projects | 36 Cool Paracord Ideas For Your Paracord Survival Projects
-
Paracord Projects1 year ago
How To Make Paracord Survival Bracelets | DIY Survival Prepping
-
Medical Care1 year ago
21 Home Remedies For Toothache Pain Relief
-
Knife Laws1 year ago
Are Switchblades Legal? Knife Laws By State
-
Do It Yourself1 year ago
Survival DIY: How To Melt Aluminum Cans For Casting
web page
March 30, 2018 at 10:14 AM
New Hindi mp3 Song From Bengali,Tamil 320kbps Mp3 Songs,Telugu Songs,Kannada,instamp3,ermp3,mp3gov 320kbps Mp3 Song
Page Web
September 4, 2018 at 12:50 PM
You Lost or Something? – Use a Map & Compass it works! Tired & Stressed? – Watch a Movie! Planning something? – Nike, Just Do It! Feeling Thirsty? – Coke is it – Adds Life! Hungry? – Nissin Cup Noodles! When in Rome? – I haven’t the slightest idea… Awoooooooo!
Pingback: Efficient Butchering: 3 Tips from a Lifelong Hunter
Jim Winand
September 4, 2018 at 9:02 AM
Thanks for the useful information. A more descriptive instructions would be appreciated
Mister Just-Dropping-by-Saying-Hi-Hello-&-Goodbye
September 4, 2018 at 12:53 PM
Because Now is the time for Cow! Patch Adams! or was it the Late Robin Williams?!
Anonymous
September 7, 2018 at 1:29 PM
Next time include more data on knives and let’s hear about the best way to sharpen “stainless high carbon” steel. High carbon steel is my favorite but Stainless steel is quite different interms of sharpening and handle preservation.