What saw are you guys using to help with rib bones on your deer and elk?
What saw are you guys using to help with rib bones on your deer and elk?
I just cut the meat off the ribs for hamburger, leaving the bones in tact. I didn't answer the question you asked, I know. A hacksaw is probably your best bet, not as course as a bone saw, but should be good for cutting through ribs. Just speculation though.
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I've used a pac saw like this one for 33 years. The blade is stout enough for elk ribs and vertebrae. Mine could use a sharpening. But I've never cared for the leather sheath--too heavy.
If I were to get another for hunting I'd get a folder like this:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/SILKY...8.uts?slotId=2
The bright colored handle is a plus.
^^^^this, everything.
I have a cheapy folder with a black handle. I put bright orange paracord lanyards on all my hunting gear.
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If you're lucky enough to pack elk out with livestock--horses or mules, one would typically use canvas panniers. It's important to cut and load the carcass so the bone ends face out and don't poke the pack animal. With a pack animal you don't need to save weight by deboning in the field which is time consuming and risks contamination. Keeping the meat (and hide) on the bone and using game bags helps keep the meat clean until it gets into refrigeration and on to the butcher table.
A bone saw is used in the field to cut the carcass into carry sized pieces. Eight sections plus the head works well for efficient loading. After removing the legs, I cut the across the ribs about 6" from the backbone in order to keep the backstraps intact. Then the spine is cut in half through the vertebra between the 4th and 5th rib bones. I do this at the time of field dressing whether packing out on my frame backpack or bringing in the pack animals.
I have a folder similar to what Hummer linked. I keep it and a swingblade in my pack. It has seen a lot of big game and going strong. I like that is doesn’t need a sheath, isn’t as big and bulk as carrying a big saw and you really don’t need to do that much cutting.
I completely deboned a deer this last season in about and hour on my garage floor. Would have been a lot faster if I hung it up and had the stainless table I want to get.