Iowa gutless method

[BBwheelgunner]

I believe MN has similar laws that make the gutless method technically illegal. But, if you have cell service, and can register your deer before you start, then you may be good to go like in the emailed response from the Iowa DNR. I am going from memory, would have to check the regs to make sure

 

[emrah1028]

The MN regulations regarding carcass disposal is the problem; you can't leave it in the field. Luckily I was on private land at my buddy's place, so it wasn't a problem.

Emrah

 

[duckhunt]

Just to be safe I guess I will gut it, Then cut it up into manageable pieces and carry the whole thing out.

 

[maxx]

I highly doubt that the gutless method itself is expressly prohibited. Just for fun I looked up the regs, which state the following



If you do a half assed job of normal processing you can be guilty of waste of game. If you do a half assed job of gutless you can be guilty of waste of game. The name of the technique doesn't really seem to matter unless it's the half assed method.

I wouldn't take a chance with any game laws in Iowa.

Most of the guys are good dudes but a lot of the laws are written in a way to create gray area. You will have a hard time getting the same answer out of CO from different counties.

 

[mplane72]

I wouldn't take a chance with any game laws in Iowa.

Most of the guys are good dudes but a lot of the laws are written in a way to create gray area. You will have a hard time getting the same answer out of CO from different counties.

I agree. As someone else said you could probably call it in and register it and be OK technically but I would talk to the CO in the county your hunting and even then I'd be expecting issues if, and that's a big IF, you ran into the CO on your way out. It's just not a common practice here.

A deer cart and a buddy are worth it when going deep in our public ground.

 

[HuntsByDesign]

I think there's one fact that has yet to be mentioned. Way back in the day Iowa was set up such that there is a public road every mile and if not it's rarely more than 2 miles. Property sizes are generally small, on the order of 100 acres, compared to those out west. This system essentially makes it such that it's actually difficult to ever be more than .5 mile from a roadway (or an access point). If you can't drag your deer .5 miles then I'm not sure you should be hunting solo anyways. Also the terrain is generally such that most people on private just need to drag the deer out of the ravine (50ft-100ft) and then a truck can easily be driven up to that spot (provided the farmer has harvested his crops).

In such a case I do think a gutless method that doesn't take the neck meat is wanton waste. There is plenty of meat on the neck which doesn't need to go to waste when the truck is only .5 miles away. I understand why Wyoming only requires the four quarters and the loins but in Iowa I would view that as a waste.

Hunting regulations have generally developed to represent the local terrain, traditions and wildlife. It's also the reason only shotguns are allowed during Iowa's 1st and 2nd gun seasons. One would expect the regulations to be different in a state like Wyoming vs. a state like Iowa. It's not wrong, it's just different.

 

[maxx]

I think there's one fact that has yet to be mentioned. Way back in the day Iowa was set up such that there is a public road every mile and if not it's rarely more than 2 miles. Property sizes are generally small, on the order of 100 acres, compared to those out west. This system essentially makes it such that it's actually difficult to ever be more than .5 mile from a roadway (or an access point). If you can't drag your deer .5 miles then I'm not sure you should be hunting solo anyways. Also the terrain is generally such that most people on private just need to drag the deer out of the ravine (50ft-100ft) and then a truck can easily be driven up to that spot (provided the farmer has harvested his crops).

In such a case I do think a gutless method that doesn't take the neck meat is wanton waste. There is plenty of meat on the neck which doesn't need to go to waste when the truck is only .5 miles away. I understand why Wyoming only requires the four quarters and the loins but in Iowa I would view that as a waste.

Hunting regulations have generally developed to represent the local terrain, traditions and wildlife. It's also the reason only shotguns are allowed during Iowa's 1st and 2nd gun seasons. One would expect the regulations to be different in a state like Wyoming vs. a state like Iowa. It's not wrong, it's just different.

Ya hard to say. I know of a few places that I hunt that are well over .5 miles to drag a deer out.

I use a sled which works great for pulling deer out. I have a few spots on public ground that if you get creative you can limit your drag.

 

[Maxxis31]

I think ID has it right and i follow it almost to a T. I do take a little neck meat and depending on how far I have to pack it the meat below the knee. If it means another trip to have to take the neck, lower leg and rib meat it is staying for the coyotes. If i am close enough I am packing quarters out the lower leg meat goes to burger, if I can get a vehicle to the animal I use all of the clean salvageable meat in my burger.

You also are suppose to leave identification of sex attached to a piece of meat too so don't forget that.

That seems ambiguous to me. What is "normal" varies from person to person.

Here's how the Idaho regulations state our requirements, which leaves little room for argument.



That description is on page 95 of the current big game regulations booklet at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgRules.pdf

I found this text last fall after finding an elk carcass with all the neck, flank, brisket and rib meat left. I was going to report it as waste, and was surprised to find the law here allows that to be left in the field.

 

[MTGomer]

Bigger animals like elk have substantial neck meat. I take it even when it's a debone and long long backpack trip.
The only time I've ever not taken neck meat was when I shot it in the neck.

 

[Jezz]

In such a case I do think a gutless method that doesn't take the neck meat is wanton waste.

I think people are either misinformed or not doing it right. Just because you use this style of butchering doesn't mean you can't take the neck meat. I take it every time.

 

[HuntsByDesign]

I understand that you always can and some people do. I also understand that it's not required thus I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't. I'm not saying they're wrong, they're just operating under a different system. Thus far, I've always taken the neck meat even in Wyoming.