Any huntresses out there? Many many questions.

[plantnerd]

You can pm me if it is more comfortable.

[Bantams]

Our family just got interested in hunting this year.  I wonder why we never thought of it before, considering the abundance of deer in the area.

We did get a deer this year - next year we plan to fill the freezer! ('We' meaning my dad shot it; I butchered it).

Anyway, I might be able to answer a few questions.  Can't make any promises though :)

[spughy]

I am happy to answer questions - I come from a hunting family and while I haven't actively hunted in some time, my DH and my sister got a moose a few years ago, and I happily accept game donations from other friends who hunt.  What are your questions?  I'm in Canada btw so if you're wondering about regulations and whatnot I probably can't help you there... but if it's about field dressing, butchering, hanging time, equipment etc. I might be able to.

[treeoflife3]

I'm definitely NOT a hunter but everyone else in my family hunts - actually they own a decent chunk of land they care for and hunt off so its pretty much a lifestyle for them.  Depending on your question, I might be able to help.

[velcromom]

I can't hardly think of anything more traditional than hunting! I just took my hunter education course this past year but haven't had the chance to do any actual hunting yet. Would be nice to see this thread continue...

[plantnerd]

Wow, thanks! 

I am a decent outdoors-woman, but have never had opportunity to hunt for meat.  I'm not interested in the sport of it, but would love to be able to provide game for my family, mainly deer as there is an overabundance of them in the area.

Specific questions-

How do you actually learn how to hunt???  The firearms part I have covered as hubby is ex military, so we plan to go to the shooting range and practice.

What resources do you know of for learning how to dress/butcher game?

I know several men who hunt, and I really don't think I would be welcome on hunting trips with them, as it's more of beer swilling ball scratching guys weekend away from the ball-and-chain type of thing.

I have read reccs that say to start with small game (rabbits, squirrels) to learn how to dress kills more easily.

[Bantams]

You're from North Carolina, right?  These links will answer everything about licensing, state regulations, limits, etc. 

http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/Regs_Hunt_Trap.htm

http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/index.htm

Depending on your state and age, you may need to do your hunter safety education first. 

But you've got plenty of time before the fall season to practice shooting and get everything you need.

How do you actually learn how to hunt???  The firearms part I have covered as hubby is ex military, so we plan to go to the shooting range and practice.

Practice shooting, read books, talk to people.  But it really just comes down to finding a good location for deer and shooting one.

What resources do you know of for learning how to dress/butcher game?

I had slaughtered and dressed poultry and butchered lambs and primal cuts of beef/pork/etc.  So I had some experience prior to getting our deer.  We were very fortunate to have a pro watching over to guide us on the skinning and dressing - she taught us how to properly cape the deer (if you want a mount then you'll want to learn; otherwise it doesn't matter) and how to do the quarter method of dressing.  I would recommend this for a beginner - you don't need to worry about gutting the animal, no sawing through bones is really required, and it is very simple.  However, you do sacrifice the tenderloins (about a pound of meat) and the organs.  But if your deer isn't "gut shot" you can just dive in there later and get those last bits of meat...

First you skin the carcass (cut through the hide along the spine, then start peeling off the hide, using your knife to gently separate the skin/fat from the muscle).  Then, following the natural muscle seams, take off the front legs (whole leg, including the scapula/shoulder blade).  Then the hind legs, separating at the ball-and-socket joint.  Then cut out both loins along the backbone, then the neck and brisket meat.  That's it! 

(You could skin and gut the deer and butcher like a cow/pig, but it's a lot more work).

Be sure to hang/age your meat for a week.  You can find cheese-cloth "game bags" at any farm/hardware store.  They each hold a quarter of the meat and protect it from flies/etc.  We were fortunate to get our deer during a cold spell, so we just hung it in the bags in a shed.  If it's too warm, a butcher shop or grocery store may be able to hang it for you.

If you're up for it, I recommend butchering your own meat vs sending it off to the butcher shop.  It saves a lot of money and it is a great skill to have.  I like to do "seam butchery" - you won't get traditional cuts like t-bones, ribeyes, etc, but this doesn't require a meat saw.  Basically you just separate the muscles along the natural seams.  It's very easy to determine cooking style with these cuts.

I know several men who hunt, and I really don't think I would be welcome on hunting trips with them, as it's more of beer swilling ball scratching guys weekend away from the ball-and-chain type of thing.

I guarantee with a little reading and research, you'll do a much better job of your deer than any of those beer-guzzling hunters!  I've heard the horror stories of these kinds of hunters mutilating their deer.

I have read reccs that say to start with small game (rabbits, squirrels) to learn how to dress kills more easily.

Nah!  Just get out there and hunt deer!  They're easier to shoot anyway. 

However, you could go to a farm when they are slaughtering a lamb/pig and observe/help.  The anatomy is nearly identical. 

I hope this helps!

I'd love to answer any more questions.

Kelsey

[Alyantavid]

I grew up hunting and married an avid hunter. 
 

Originally Posted by plantnerd 

Wow, thanks! 

I am a decent outdoors-woman, but have never had opportunity to hunt for meat.  I'm not interested in the sport of it, but would love to be able to provide game for my family, mainly deer as there is an overabundance of them in the area.

Specific questions-

How do you actually learn how to hunt???  The firearms part I have covered as hubby is ex military, so we plan to go to the shooting range and practice.

What resources do you know of for learning how to dress/butcher game?

I know several men who hunt, and I really don't think I would be welcome on hunting trips with them, as it's more of beer swilling ball scratching guys weekend away from the ball-and-chain type of thing.

I have read reccs that say to start with small game (rabbits, squirrels) to learn how to dress kills more easily.

Definitely get lots of target practice in.  It's much different shooting at something that's flying or running, but it's a good place to start. 

Hunter's safety should cover alot of the dressing part (I think?  It's been a looong time since I took hunter's ed).  The most important thing is to gut it fairly quickly and let it hang a few days before you butcher.  We don't butcher our own big game, dh can, but we don't really have the space to do it.  There are butcher shops that will cut and wrap game, but not all of them do.  As for skinning, it's not real difficult, just time consuming and if you want the head mounted you'll have to skin it differently.  For a beginner, I'd recommend taking it to a shop once you've gutted it and got it home.

Your state should have a fish and wildlife office that will have lots of info for hunters.  And really, I'd start with deer instead of the smaller animals, but that's just my opinion.

[Arduinna]

You can check out the group, becoming an outdoors woman and see if they have a chapter in your state. They have workshops on a variety of topics run by women for women. I don't have any first hand experience with them, but I've heard great things from people that do. 

[Chicky2]

Not a huntress, but a homesteading wife and mama.  I don't dispatch our animals, but I know how, and know how to skin 'em.  My part is the processing after the guts and hide are removed.  I've done LOTS of wild pigs (all sizes)--they come to me quartered, a few deer (just did one recently someone shot but didn't want! thankfully they thought of us instead of wasting!), lots and lots of goats, several lambs, tons of chickens, guineas, and soon ducks.  Tons of domestic rabbits.  Done my share of squirrels and wild rabbits too.  If you have specific ?s I can sure try to answer them.

[doulawoman]

bump! totally fascinating thread!

[plantnerd]

So, does any body have any ideas on resources for fresh killed animals?  Livestock like poultry, bunnies, small pigs, etc.  I think that would be a good start for me practice wise on cleaning and processing carcasses.

[spughy]

Look for people who raise them as pets/hobby, and offer to dispatch unwanted males for free.  A lot of my friends have used my services to get rid of unwanted roosters (they're highly annoying, and illegal within the city).  I get a rooster to do with as I please, and I typically return something like the stock from the bones - nice and unrecognizable.

[velcromom]

You might search on youtube for instructional videos. I've seen lots about how to butcher rabbit, I'm sure there are plenty about wild game too.

eta: wouldn't it be great to be able to go hunting with some like-minded women? We could drink tea and joke about Aunt Flo, instead of beer and bragging... lol

[Thparkly]

I have always been interested in hunting. I believe that anybody who puts meat into their mouths should understand what it took to get it there.

That said, as of now I'm pretty outdoorsy (remote hiking by myself for example), but have yet to hunt.

PM me if interested and in Michigan:-)  How dang cool would it be to have a group of female huntresses LOL. 

[Koalamom]

I would love to go hunting with all you fine ladies.  If you were all near my place I would welcome you all pver and build a big bonfire to smole out clothes to get the scent out.  Dh has been using a smudge stick to descent.  What do you all use?

[Chicky2]

plantnerd, definitely seek out some small farms.  I'm quite sure you'd come across some free or cheap butchering lessons.  At our place, for instance, there are almost always jobs someone can do on butcher days, and plenty to be learned.  We have given butchering lessons for rabbits, chickens, pigs, and goats.  One couple wanted to learn how to process their own goats, so they brought 2 over--one for us and one for them.  Sweet deal!

Other than that, you can often find cheap or free roosters on Craigslist.  For roosters, check out the killing cone method.  We find it easier and less flopping goes on.

[*farmergirl*]

I think it depends on what you have in mind. Do you want to go deer hunting or do you want to rise your own meat animals & if so which ones. We homestead and raise pigs, rabbits and an occassional chicken for meat. We have dairy goats too but haven't butchered one yet. My DH does the actual dispatching and I help with the skinning, gutting and mainly do the cutting up into chops,roasts what have you and wrap to freeze. We find raising it yourself saves a ton of time- when it's time to butcher it it's right there & no gamey taste. Hunting often involves hours of waiting/walking around & when you have lots of stuff to do you really can waste a lot of time- but then again it leaves plenty of time for beer drinking & bragging and getting way from the ol ball and chain.

I would try to start with whatever it is you would like to eat. Also shooting may not be needed- we only shoot the pigs to stun them smaller animals like rabbits are usually hit in the head and chickens just have their heads chopped off. 

I rec the book : Basic butcher of livestock and game by mettler. there are some good and some really bad youtube video too.

[Chicky2]

I was thinking of this thread yesterday when my dd was out butchering rabbits.  She uses a .22, but that's just the way she prefers it. 

[plantnerd]

I live in the city (and love it) so have no plans to raise livestock, chickens are allowed but for the trouble I'm thinking store eggs and birds come out cheaper.  What I am really wanting is to hunt venison.