Breaking Down The Gutless Method » by Corey Jacobsen

It usually doesn't take more than a few seconds after pulling the trigger on a successful hunt for someone to state the obvious: "Now the work begins!" While there can be months of hard work leading up to a hunt, it's often the time directly after the shot that turns out to be the most difficult. The tasks of processing and packing are what typically lodge in our memory as being the most challenging aspects of the hunt—especially if we aren't prepared.

Time can be a precious commodity—particularly during the early parts of the season—when it comes to field dressing a big game animal. The steps of gutting, skinning, quartering, and deboning can be quite daunting, especially on larger animals like elk. This process can literally take several hours for a single hunter. Being efficient at this task can ensure your hunt—and your meat—doesn’t get spoiled.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR » For 7-Time World Champion Elk Caller and founder of Extreme Elk Magazine, Corey Jacobsen, there is nothing like the high-country in mid-September.