Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

DRESSING GAME AND FISH 263If you are in a hurry, or if the camp is not far away,it will do merely to take out the paunch and intestines; but if this is neglected gas will accumulateand putrefaction will soon set in. A bear, especially,^vill soon spoil, because the fur keeps in thevital heat, so that the body will smoke when opened,even after it has lain a long time in hard-freezmgweather.If the animal is not to be butchered on the spot,slit the skin only from vent to stomach, using thenoint of the knife, and taking care not to rupturethe paunch. Sever the intestine at the rectum, cutthe genitals free, then cut off the gullet as highas you can above the stomach, and pull all out.The carcass should lie so that this is done towardthe downhill side.Dragging a Deer.— If the ground is not toorough, nor the distance too great, a deer may becamp over the snow or leaves; but dragdragged toit head-foremost; if pulled the other way every hairwill act as a barb against the ground. Betorestarting, tie the front legs to the lower jaw. i hecarcass will slide easier, and the hide will not beso disfigured, if you first drop a bush or small treeby cutting through the roots, leaving a stub ot aroot projecting for a handle, jhen tie the animalon the upper side of the bush, and drag away.Packing Deer on a Saddle.— To pack a deeion horseback: first, if your horse is green in thebusiness, let him smell the deer, pet him, and, itnecessary, blindfold him until you get the carcasslashed in place. Even then you may h^ve trouble^I have seen a mule get such a conniption ht at thesmell of blood that he bucked himself, deer, andsaddle, off a cut-bank into a swift river; the girthhvokt, and that saddle is going yet.It may be necessary to smear some ot the deer sblood on your horse's nose to kill the scentIf the animal is antlered, remove the head andmak*^ a separate parcel of it.Re-cinch your saddle, and, if the deer is too