How To Easily Skin A Deer (

Grant shares techniques to easily remove the hide from a white-tailed deer. See a detailed step-by-step guide with tips on how to keep the meat clean in this first step of processing venison.
One of the tips in this video is how to use your knife: Most guys cut with their knife outside going in, and that just puts hair everywhere, cutting from the inside out.
Note: Dr. Grant Woods is a Ph.D Wildlife Biologist that has hunted whitetails for work and pleasure for many years. He has harvested hundreds of deer for scientific research. Those deer were donated to local charitable organizations. Given the high number of deer harvested for his research projects, he had to learn efficient ways to clean a deer so that the meat stays clean and free of hair and other contaminants.
#deerhunting #teamoutdoors

[@tonytiger7938]

Thank you very much for contributing this content to the world via KZbin! Almost 50years old and 2 days ago I hunted deer for the first time. I grew up an avid fisherman but who only hunted a handful of times for duck, quail, pheasant and dove. I live on a small property but 2 acres of it is wooded and very steep. I’ve watched deer on my property for years so I knew they were there. I harvested my first doe and my wife helped me skin and process it yesterday (we had low temps in the low 20s overnight and yesterday’s high was around 38-40 so I hung the deer on a gambrel overnight). We have both watched your videos on how to skin and process deer before and after the hunt. I didn’t do as good a job as you but I expect my skill will improve quickly. I’m hunting to feed my family and to put high quality, high nutrition venison in the freezer. Thank you for enabling us to do this ourselves and to have enough confidence and courage to try it. At $100 +/- to have a deer processed here, financially it makes more sense to do it ourselves. Props to my amazing wife for jumping right in to help! She’s a keeper. 😊

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I agree - your wife sounds like a keeper! Congratulations for providing fresh, nutritious venison for your family!

[@r410r4]

This guy should be a public school teacher.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Most Public school teachers are much more patient than me!

[@amirblosh5764]

​@@GrowingDeerTV man u r blessed

[@mtnrnnr50]

Hello Mr. Grant, thank you so much for this educational video on skinning a deer and those were some really great tips I’ll remember! God bless you, sir

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for sharing the kind words!

[@frankspivey5199]

Doctor

[@4kids1challenge81]

God bless your family

[@loug4626]

Hey Doc…thanks x 10 ! At 74 years young I had never skinned a deer as only started the sport in mid 60’s when had to give up scuba diving. Every path has a few puddles. Anyways butcher used in past was swamped and not taking any more to process, a downside to harvesting an animal on last day of season. So when found one only accepted after skinned, head removed etc. So I figure do not bang your shin on a stool that’s not in the way , searched and thankfully located your channel and out you came with me into garage on iPad and voila proceeded to give it a go. Never too old to learn something new! Butcher was happy with result but I was no where close your results and your effort to educate much appreciated. Wish had teacher like you when was a kid . Life is simpler when you plow around the stump 😊 and I always enjoy the fresh air, animal is a bonus. (Lou in Canada)

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Lou - Congratulations on providing meat for your family and continuing to learn! I'm happy for and proud of you!

[@annetterockers2404]

Thank you for helping my son and I learn how to do this tonight.

[@wolfbranchhomestead]

Thank you for a very easy video on skinning a deer! I sure hope people will consider saving those hides and maybe learning to tan them too! For those wanting to save this hide to tan, I will say to please fold your hid skin to skin (flesh/meat side) and not hair to skin. If you want your hide to remain in good quality and prevent hair loss, this step is important to keep in mind.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks!

[@jean-simondubois8655]

Thanks for taking the time showing us how to do it!😍

[@GrowingDeerTV]

You are so welcome!

[@garrettlewis7761]

Thanks for putting this together. This will be very helpful on my next deer. Hopefully this weekend!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Garrett - Thanks and I hope you have fresh venison to process soon!

[@bromma1979]

Thanks for the tutorial!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Welcome!

[@YourOwnWay]

I enjoyed your video. Simple steps ended with a good word. Thank you.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks!

[@mytbioutdoors4928]

I was always taught you want to gut a deer as soon as possible to let the cooling process begin. I am now seeing a lot of people doing the gutless method or something similar to this method that has the animal being gutted later on. What is your opinion on how quickly the organs need to be removed before being concerned about any spoilage?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Chris - Season opens in south Florida and South Carolina in August! Many times the temps are 100+ degrees there and no issues with spoilage if the deer is processed within four hours or so.

[@wesleyhorton3530]

I've processed deer for 20 years. I always advise to gut before skinning. Not only to cool the carcass but if you accidentally cut the stomach and spill the content, it will come off with the skin. It is very difficult to wash off all of the contaminants once they get on the meat.

[@steveandrews8301]

@@wesleyhorton3530 Great idea! Thanks.

[@gerrywood3584]

Got in woods after shot

[@danorris5235]

If you're interested in better quality food, a better finished hide, and ease of butchering process the answer is always as soon as humanly possible after recovery. Any arguments about it are from people that don't care about these things or have a particular way they were taught and want to continue doing it that way, and I want to make it 100% clear that's totally fine and not shameful. It's their deer and they can do whatever they want with it once it's harvested!

[@jasonallen7779]

Cool video. Sure shows your experience. I just had a sitka blacktail deer venison steak for dinner a couple of nights ago. Real delicious meat. Plus just tried ground moose meat made into a burger patty such a blessing and delicious meat. One of my favorites.

[@codyparkhurst7047]

This guy is always happy and so helpful

[@bethsnider9639]

Amen and thank you! As a new hunter, this is invaluable!

[@Esmith8787]

Thank you grant !! My local deer processer is charging $90 for a deer so I have wanted to learn how to clean deer myself

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Ouch! Enjoy the process of providing quality meat for your family!

[@Esmith8787]

@@GrowingDeerTV My family members normally want me to shoot a deer for them each year ! My cousin and my grandma normally want a deer and I like to shoot 2 or 3 for me ,my dad and my little sister

[@ML-ks2lj]

Yeah mines crazy 120 for a deer and I hear rumors he mixes up your deer with everyone else's and just rinds whatever meat with whatever meat you don't even get your deer I guess.

[@ML-ks2lj]

Love watching everyone different techniques. Just remember if you are new to skimming deer one very important rule is knife safety. Don't go tugging on that tail with that knife in your hand. Sheath it and set it aside. Something so simple seeming watching this man do this some times isn't as simple as it looks and you can really hurt yourself if you are not aware of where the blade is in the knife. Practice safety.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Good tips M L!

[@boonedog1457]

Nicely done! You gave a most excellent presentation!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thank you kindly!

[@jamieR.jamjeep]

Thankyou, great detailed video as always! 👍

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jamie - You are welcome!

[@alaboy2002]

Hi thank you for the awesome example on how to clean a deer. I just started crossbow hunting for about 7 months and I was wondering if you could please help me with some tips on being successful in harvest venison. Thank you for your time.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Keala - I'm glad you are hunting and seeking fresh venison! A great place to start is considering that deer need food, cover, and water daily. Then I consider which of these resources are available where I hunt. Then I narrow where I should hunt down by evaluating which of these resources can be approached without alerting deer. It's very important to be able to access and remain at the stand or blind location without deer being alerted. Deer often detect hunters first by using their sense of smell so considering the wind direction is extremely important! I look forward to hearing about your successes!

[@IllusionOF-Freedom]

Cool video thank you! Sweet that it’s at the to search list for skinning deer👌🏻 😃

[@joeguzman3558]

I remember my grandpa doing that lots of times in south Texas - I never done it myself so I guess the first time it's better someone who knows right next to you.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Mentors are a great source of knowledge!

[@glennpenton4202]

Good information. When yall get a good one this year could you possibly show the best way to "cape" a nice buck for mount? Thanks for all you do.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Glenn! We'll try to make that happen!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

In the meantime, here's a video from a few years ago showing how to cape out a buck: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYaVfaCbZ8Zlaqc

[@joshuaevans1970]

Thank you for this video, teached me a better way to skin than I have previously done

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks!

[@NoDuLeS5]

1:43 everything reminds me off her

[@amyshaw444]

@@NoDuLeS5 😂😂

[@Chetstedman353]

Another great video. What kind of knife are you using and/or recommend using? Thanks

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Steve - That was an Old Timer. Have a sharp knife makes the task much easier!

[@derekwilliams1066]

Thank you for making this educational video.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Derek - Thanks!

[@ellisstanton7093]

Thank you Sir,I hope you have a blessed day 🙏

[@tannercross5267]

Fantastic video!! Thanks so much!

[@Bvnbg0]

Thank you for the devotion at the end. Thanks be unto God

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for the encouraging words!

[@WrongNumber76]

How interesting where things like leather and fur come from, this was a educational experience

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Dude - Why such a comment?

[@cheyl9491]

Thank alot! Very useful information 🤠

[@undeadninja199]

Glad I have seen a video of how to properly skin the animal before I take to hunting it in the future.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I hope you skin a lot of deer soon!

[@VISNIS33]

Super thanks for the details Good video 🎖️

[@dgreenapple]

Thanks so much - great technique. I'd be interested to hear your thought on how often to limit consumption of venison. I go through about 80 lbs a year, so close to 2 lbs a week and I've seen in studies that it's VERY high in cholesterol. Although it's low fat, it's more cholesterol than beef. Your point of view ?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

David - Several viewers have shared links that show Doc's now say eating food high in cholesterol doesn't result in high cholesterol. You might search and check this out!

[@johndyer9232]

Keep in mind that not all cholesterol is bad. Much of the cholesterol in red meat is actually good cholesterol. Eggs also fall in this category.

[@scottkoprevich3128]

I find using locking pliers and grabbing the skin after you circle the leg will pull the skin off super fast.

[@frankspivey5199]

Saw a video that shows a gland on the inside of both hams they removed. I’ve never removed one. Can you touch on that

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Frank - Watch:kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKTahpV8mKepeJo

[@marklee8226]

Great tutorial!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thank you!

[@wildlegacymedia6672]

Awesome video 🙌

[@steveandrews8301]

In sending the hide off to be tanned, (or doing it yourself), do you leave the tail bone in the tail as shown in the video at the end where you were rolling it up? Thanks.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Steve - I prefer to remove the tailbone and any fat, etc.

[@doco1229]

great video! very helpful :)

[@victorroman3252]

Greetings Sir, new hunter, great video!! What is the maximum amount of time you would delay gutting the deer in approx 35 - 45 deg F temp? I hunt in the southern states. I'm on the fence whether to Skin/gut/process in the field, or drive the 50 minutes back home from my hunting location, then go through the process you demonstrated. I appreciate your thoughts sir. Thanks Kindly.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Victor - Season opens in South Florida during August and temps are often 90+ degrees and those hunters do fine. I doubt the deer's body temp will cool in 50 minutes. I wouldn't worry unless the deer shot in the digestive tract. It takes hours for a deer's body temp to drop in most situations.

[@victorroman3252]

@@GrowingDeerTV Thanks Kindly Sir. Love your channel. I listen and learn as you and your interns provide wonderful information from y'alls heart and core. Have a blessed day.

[@titan4234]

Thanks for the info

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Titan - Thanks for watching!

[@johnstobbscpa8081]

Great video. God Bless!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks!

[@calebcollier3045]

Great informative video

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Caleb!

[@alananderson2961]

Awesome video 😊👏👏👏

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Alan!

[@charlessprayberry1048]

please do a tanning video you are so great at educating so clear and simple

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks and we'll try!

[@frankspivey5199]

Do you make the cut to insert the loppers when you cut from the sternum to the neck? If so how

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Frank I carefully make a cut just below the sternum and be careful to not puncture the rumen. Then ease the loppers in and cut the sternum and the all the way to the neck!

[@GG-jiggles]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid request or question but are you able to do a video on times you have cut open a deer and thought "okay this isn't safe to eat at all" . I'm very new into hunting and don't know what internal or external parasites can be extremely damaging if consumed. I really would like to know what to look out for in the future. Thank you !

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Good question! External parasites will be removed with the hid and there are rarely parasites in the meat. Most live in the digestive track or other organs. In addition, if the meat is properly prepared (cooked hot enough) I'm not aware of any parasites that are a concern for human consumption.

[@GG-jiggles]

@@GrowingDeerTV awesome !! Thank you SO much for replying !!!

[@FarmallFanatic]

Are you doing a tour this year?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

We are waiting to see what the state and local authorities say about the number of folks that can gather. We'll post more information soon!

[@jerryhill7065]

Great vid growing deer

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Jerry!

[@alaboy2002]

Thank You

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Welcome and I hope you enjoy some fresh venison!

[@jessepinkman6024]

I love this channel

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@mattreynolds792]

Love the videos

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Matt!

[@floydscheifer2013]

Thanks

[@roc0557]

Homie just chilling

[@cleanwater6278]

Hello nice cutting do you have a dvds to how to skin a deer too

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Clean Water - We have several. Checkout the following link for an easy way to remove the meat!kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmO4pImabslrrKs

[@brycecobden3814]

Did you shoot the deer so far back on accident or is that normally shoot it. I was taught to shoot it a inch or two back behind the shoulder. Just curious.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Bryce - My shot was a bit back.

[@leafinitup1]

Great technique. Please tell me where you send the hide for tanning. Thank you

[@codysmith5333]

I had the same type of question...do you have recommendations for finding a place to tan hides?

[@brazosforager1239]

It’s a tough job by hand but you can do it yourself if you have the time. A taxidermist should be able to do it

[@leafinitup1]

@@brazosforager1239 I have done it myself many times, but looking for other options.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Vital Point - For years I've sent hides to Moyles Tannery. Checkout: moyle.net/about

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Cody - Checkout:moyle.net/about

[@jmirvinggbooks]

This is cool!

[@monicabravo3671]

What knife do you recomend for this?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Monica - Sharp is my first criterial and I prefer a short blade that slopes like a skinning knife.

[@Frenchbroadcatman.]

I hang all my deer from the neck unless it's a buck I intend to Cape out for the wall real easy and no hair on the meat either. I have a question for you grant we have had alot of rain here in the mountains of n.c. we have also had a big crop of acorns so given all that I would like to know and this is what I think but with so much rain and warm weather will the acorns sour or rot and not be edible for the deer causing them to seek other food sources would really like tou opinion on this

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Bobbyjoe - The white oak acorns will likely germinate but the red oak acorns should be fine!

[@Frenchbroadcatman.]

@@GrowingDeerTV thanks grant I sure hope you are right and that the neighbors will mess up alot and get the deer back on my side if the fence

[@monkpool]

Clothes and organic meat?! That’s it! I’m going hunting! 😄

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Heck ya!

[@4kids1challenge81]

I’m ten and I shot my first doe, I want it as a hide and this helped so much!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Congratulations!

[@4kids1challenge81]

Thanks your channel is awesome and I want to learn an grow from your ideas!

[@Sig_716]

Praise the Lord. Thank you.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Welcome!

[@gaborkorthy8355]

I was taught to gut the deer in the field immediately after it is killed so that the carcus cools rapidly. Done carefully dirt, leaves etc will not contaminate the meat.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Gabor - That's one way - but I've been using this technique for decades and my family really enjoys the meat!

[@JazzyGinger1]

Nice video! I love the Creator too!

[@Turbo44mag]

How is Reiland after the toe surgery?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Morning and thanks for asking about Rylan. He's fully recovered and doing great. We'll likely be sharing one of his hunts soon!

[@christopherallen3749]

What's that stand called?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

It's from Redneck Blinds - called a deer hoist.

[@ChristianCaseGamingAndMore]

I've never hunted in the Adirondack mountains but I live in upstate New York and I hunt in Brookfield New York stateland

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks a nice area!

[@ignaciobernal6045]

Ha I just learn a better way thank you..😀👍🦌

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Ignacio - You are welcome!

[@remingtonsmith734]

Just got back from checking woods jumped bout 4 bucks and like idk 12 does maybe

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Wow! Sounds like you will have some fun hunts soon!

[@remingtonsmith734]

@@GrowingDeerTV yes I’m 11 and I live on a wink wink kinda deer farm where we grow our deer then let them use bows to see who can kill the biggest buck in 3 days last year biggest deer that got killed was I think 194 6/8 inches witch that’s the biggest deer killed in our farm

[@markfields8092]

What does it cost to have a hide tanned?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Mark - Tanning prices vary by species and quantity. Checkout: moyle.net/

[@SteveC810]

Usually a titleist golf ball works great.

[@heathergallimore2593]

This is how my dad and his dad skinned their deer. My papaw loved hunting; he had an outbuilding dedicated for this. Had hooks and hung it butt up. Papaw died doing what he loved. His dad slipped/fell and dropped the bolt action gun. It fired with the safety on; back in 1994. 😔…… Hunting is bittersweet. Feels close to him but at the same time it’s how we lost him. Videos like this bring back lots of memories. I don’t think he’d want us to stop hunting. I think he’d say to definitely not load the gun until seated in the hunting spot. 😓

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Heather - I'm sorry for your loss and agree that gun safety is our first responsibility Gun safeties are much better now but we should never rely on a mechanical safety. Not loading the weapon until situated is a great practice!

[@Jimmy_955]

We do that the same way

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Great! Thanks for sharing.

[@newperspective1318]

I most likely wouldn't gut a deer here in Florida out in the woods just 2 many Apex predators. Most people never say Florida the place with a huge population of bear but man they are here. Sunday morning at 9am before church I came outside to a bear on my trash. Crazy thing is my son stands there for the bus during the week. I told him whatever you do DONT run if one comes out on you!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Karl - Ouch! You may move the trash if possible so bears don't associate where your son stands with food.

[@mattcolvin9778]

My grand pa owns a meat plant here in Oklahoma. I skin a lot of deer in rifle season.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Matt - I bet you learn a lot about shot placement, where good deer come from, etc.

[@mattcolvin9778]

@@GrowingDeerTV ya I do I probly skin between 40 50 deer a rifle season.

[@Mrdanks416]

Everyone should watch this video. You never know what will happen in the near future and we have to rely to hunt for food…

[@trevorlawson1714]

Really should skin the legs before you hang it so you don't cut through the hide. Then you can quarter it by removing at the join.

[@Turbo44mag]

To each his own (I have never cut through and legs are always skinned hanging).

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Trevor! That's one option.

[@Wittheshitz]

I wonder if the deer gets paid

[@YouKnowN0thing]

The only deer skinning I was ever part of, was when I was 16, and my step grandpa took me hunting. He claims he shot at a buck, but a doe was next to it, and the bullet hit the doe, but that regardless how it happened, it was a huge fine. So instead of paying up, he cleaned the doe right there, on the side of the riverbed.. As I was trying to learn, his haste caused him to nick something with his knife, that created a hissing sound, followed by the most awful smell Id ever smelled in my life. It was bad, so I left the area, missing out on a vital lesson. So now I'm on KZbin, to learn the same thing.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Sounds like a great memory!

[@YouKnowN0thing]

@@GrowingDeerTV Yeah but I wish Id learned more.

[@lukedog7028]

Cutting through a leg tendon is bad but not impossible to skin the deer afterwards

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Luke - You are correct - I should have sad "Tough to hang by the legs".

[@lukedog7028]

@@GrowingDeerTV I like your channel. Some good information to be learned here.

[@1Corinthians151-4]

All the sponsors? Yes.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Matthew - I don't understand your comment.

[@rmahan743]

🙏👍🌺💝

[@christianjones4442]

Amen, focus on the creator God ❤

[@_6666-]

GET ER DONE ! ! !

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Yes sir!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Yes sir!

[@asmrbully6980]

This is more complicated thqn i thoight

[@GrowingDeerTV]

ASMR - Just give it a try! It easy once you get started.

[@peytonmorrison4130]

First comment and like let’s go

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Peyton - Thanks!

[@wadebarcus2912]

I simply put my finger in it

[@GrowingDeerTV]

?? In what?

[@sodacurt]

Bambi’s mom gonna be delicious Side note, thank you

[@theperson4yearsago565]

God my 1:41 hurts!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

??

[@III-jj8qk]

is funny i skinned and quartered my first two deer today but they were WI large does, and insanely fatty compared to this deer.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Congratulations! Were the does living in an ag area?

[@III-jj8qk]

@@GrowingDeerTV yes, surrounded by cornfield and clovers.

[@stevenalford3796]

Why do y’all shoot so many does? I mean I understand shooting a doe every once in a while but seems like y’all shoot them a lot.

[@swvafarmer]

It's all about practicing good land/property management. You want to have a good buck to doe ratio and in the process you're supplying deer venison for family and friends.

[@stevenalford3796]

@@swvafarmer dam I’m trying to get does haven’t shot one in years my bucks out number my does by 3 to 1

[@travisethridge4062]

They probably have a lot of does due to lots of food plots and natural browse

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Steven - A healthy deer herd will have enough fawns annually to increase the herd by 20 to 30%. If does aren't harvested the deer population will increase to a point that there's not enough quality forage and all the population's condition will decrease.

[@stevenalford3796]

@@GrowingDeerTV correct, my bucks outnumber my does and I’m wishing I could have a few more does

[@user-gw3cj3ot4s]

I've never gutted a deer at home guts should come out as soon as possible you need to cool that deer as soon as possible I've cut thousands of deer and never had to gut one at home

[@philakers320]

Yeah but you wanna cool the meat by gutting the deer first if you don't your taking a chance of ruining the meat

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Phil - Thanks! There are many variables to processing meat!

[@philakers320]

@@GrowingDeerTV lol

[@stanleyparrish8279]

I hope I have the gonads to do this one day!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Stanley - Just do it! It's easy and a continuation of deer hunting.

[@stanleyparrish8279]

@@GrowingDeerTV I just bought my first rifle so hopefully soon... I'm still freaked out though.

[@saroshrizvi2498]

any rdr2 fans?

[@yo_mama689z8]

U lost me at pop a finger in his bung hole 😭😭😭😭

[@krisfreund4614]

Poor advice

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Why??

[@dirtlegchaser2424]

thank you sir! about how much is it to get a hide tanned?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I'm sure it varies by area, but it's cost about $60 at the taxidermist I use.