November 01, 2011
By Kathy Etling
Field processing deer is when the real work begins. Having any of these tools on hand will help make the job go easier.
Bass Pro RedHead Backpack Big Game Cart Invest in a
Bass Pro RedHead Backpack Big Game Cart ($179.99) and your back, shoulders and hips will thank you. You'll also protect your trophy capes and game meat from dirt and damage. The cart has been designed to perfectly balance its load over the heavy-duty axle, which is equipped with puncture-proof 16-inch tires. Zero weight at the handle makes hauling easy. Simply fold the 19-pound aluminum cart in half to pack it in on your back. The cart can hold 250 pounds, measures 60x19 inches when extended and comes with three nylon web tie-down straps.
Caribou Gear Game Bags Game bags are a must, and some of the best are sold by
Caribou Gear Outdoor Equipment Company ($69.99 for a small combo pack) in every type and combination imaginable. The bags are made of a shrink-resistant fabric with fluorescent orange and reflective accents that make them easy to locate day and night -- a handy feature when you are packing out game in multiple trips. The small combo pack, which is ideal for deer-sized game, includes one camp meat bag, one cape bag, one meat parts bag and four quarter bags, plus six big-game ID tags.
Buck PakLite Caper The
Buck PakLite Caper ($30) is constructed on a functional steel frame that is so light -- 1.1 ounces -- you'll barely know you're toting it. The 2 ½-inch modified caping blade is made of 420HC stainless steel and the handle features Buck's black traction coating for ease in gripping and no loss of feel during critical caping chores.
Outdoor Edge SwingBlaze Pak The
Outdoor Edge SwingBlaze Pak ($94.95) includes both a six-inch Kodi-Saw for cutting through wood or bone and the innovative SwingBlade, a double-action cutting tool that can rotate 180 degrees to reveal a drop-point skinner on one end and a keen-edged gut blade on the other. The gut blade will open the skin of big-game animals like a zipper, with no damage to underlying organs. Blades are constructed of AUS-8 stainless steel, while non-slip handles are made of rubberized Kraton. Shown in hunter orange to help prevent loss while afield.
Wildlife Research Center Scent Killer Field Wipes Freshen up once field-processing chores are complete with a handy pack of Scent Killer Field Wipes from
Wildlife Research Center ($8.49 for a resealable pack of 24). Scent Killer Field Wipes are impregnated with a special, unscented, anti-odor formula that has been enriched with Vitamin E and aloe to nourish skin and prevent drying or cracking.
Gerber Metolius Folder When the trophy is down and tagged, that's when you'll appreciate top-of-the-line tools such as
Gerber's Metolius Folder with a guthook blade ($38.99). This handy lockback folder is constructed with a 3.75-inch fine-edge blade and a glass-filled, nylon handle with soft overmold for a solid grip. Weighs 7.6 ounces.
Hunter's Specialties Butt-Out 2 Make the day's most difficult task downright easy with
Hunter's Specialties Butt-Out 2 ($12.99), which is two inches longer than the original. The tool is ideal for processing deer, antelope, bears and hogs. Just insert, twist and pull to expose a section of intestine that can then be tied off and removed to prevent the tainting of game meat. No more cutting around the anal area with a knife, which makes field processing quicker, safer and easier.
New Archery Products' Zip Saw and Brisket Brace Combo Kit Add
New Archery Products' Zip Saw and Brisket Brace Combo Kit ($39.99) to your must-have list. The Zip Saw's surgical steel wire blade will readily slice through those hard-to-cut pelvic bones, while it takes just seconds to position the stainless steel Brisket Brace, which will safely expose the animal's organs during field processing. The kit stores neatly in a pouch that is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.
Primos Top Gun LED Headlamp Arrow a buck in the evening and you'll be grateful you've packed a Top Gun LED Headlamp from
Primos ($47.99). The headlamp's five functions include high white, low white, red filter, green filter and off. The headlamp can be clipped to a hat or used with the camouflage head strap included with each purchase. It operates on two AA batteries, which are included, for six hours on the high setting and 12 hours on low.
Hunter's Specialties Field Dressing Glove Kits Smart bowhunters are sure to stock up on Hunter's Specialties Field Dressing Glove Kits from
Cabela's ( gallery=6.99). These kits help archers stay clean and offer protection from bacteria and viruses sometimes carried by wild game. Each kit includes two shoulder-length plastic gloves with elastic shoulder cuffs, two latex hand gloves, a heart and liver bag and an alcohol swab.
