Elk Loin Removal Method

[WapitiTalk1]

Saw this over on AT and asked the author if I could share it here. Looks like something that may be worth a try. Terry sais with this method, the loins come out completely whole and you just delicately trim them off the back bone. Basically, after quarters and straps are removed, you saw down through the spine and that section just peels off with tenders attached. RJ

Thanks to Terry for allowing me to share this.

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[Indian Summer]

Hmm. I think that if you want to get the entire thing you may have to cut a couple ribs. Maybe 2. The short ribs at the very back would lift out fine though. That's interesting. I'm going to try it this fall. Thanks for sharing Rory.

[Indian Summer]

Hey wait a minute! Doesn't this belong in the game processing forums?

[WapitiTalk1]

Hey wait a minute! Doesn't this belong in the game processing forums?

Dang back breaking MODs on this site... Geesh!

[Indian Summer]

Well I'll cut you some slack this time since the procedure takes place in the field. Double secret probation for now mister. Plus the more I look at that picture the more I like the idea.

[Elkduds]

Y not? Your WY saw is in your kill kit, right?

[Swede]

RJ, A little wagging of the finger for having it here. Of coarse I never go to the processing forum, and it is an elk. No foul.

[Pop-r]

I used to carry a WY saw but not anymore when totally on foot. Will bring it back if need be & to each his own but those loins are going with me first trip so I doubt I ever test the method. They're pretty easy to get out with a knife I always thought altho I have punched a hole in a gut or three in the process.

[Indian Summer]

RJ, A little wagging of the finger for having it here. Of coarse I never go to the processing forum, and it is an elk. No foul.

I'd have to agree with that. It could go unnoticed in the processing forum and it's definitely worth having it where people will see it.

[saddlesore]

I do a some what similar thing at times.

After quarters are remove . Without the back straps removed, I use saw to cut the neck and cut the spine right in front of the pelvic bone.Then cut along the top of the ribs just at the end of the back strap.

This lets me pack out the entire piece without de-boning it . This lets rigor mortis set in and relax, giving me much more tender meat.
Of course I don't do this where CWD is prevalent and wouldn't be something backpackers would want to do.

IF I go totally gutless, I push in the paunch and do a cut at both ends of the tenderloin. Then it pulls out fairly easy.Flop the carcass over and repeat. If two people are present,this is very easy. One pushing, one cutting

On tough ones or where the elk is in a bad position and location. I make a small slit in the paunch to let gas escape. Stinky though ,but it relieves the pressure and tenderloins come out easy

[Heartwood]

Looks like a very good idea. We probably won't try it though because we don't carry a saw in our packs any more. We did try deflating the rumen this season and it did help make more room to remove the tenders with the gutless method. We always bring a saw to cut antlers off on the second trip in to backpack out quarters or on the trip in with pack animals.

[saddlesore]

I have a little Browning folding saw that works great. Folded up ,it is about 8" long.
In the panniers that I have on the pack mule ( he comes with me everyday) I carry a miter box cross cut saw. That is the best saw I have found for processing meat in the field.

[Ridge Ghost]

I don't see any reason for any sawing. Once the quarters and backstraps are removed, just make a small cut behind the last full rib. Then you can reach in there and get them. A small cut on either side of the tenderloin and the whole thing comes out easily.

[WapitiTalk1]

Figured I'd bump this back up with season just right around the corner. Pretty good method for getting at those tasty loins

[saddlesore]

If in an area that CWD has been found,it is recomended not to cut into the spine