When many people use the term "quarter a deer" they mean more than just the four shoulders. Using the no-gut method I get the quarters, straps, tenderloins, neck meat, etc. I can even get the heart and liver if I want. Only meat I don't get is the rib meat, which I didn't take even when I used to field dress.

I've gutted, skinned and quartered the deer I kill but the last few years I just skin'em and quarter and get them on ice.

I just quarter my deer and don't gut them. I leave the carcass for the coyotes. I don't take the tenderloins or any neck meet. Just the front shoulders, the hind quarters and the back straps.

If I understand the TPWD rules correctly, you can only legally transport a quartered deer or a gutted deer. Under the quartered deer definition it doesn't include the tenderloins.

Meaning you can't de-bone cube or grind the meat before transport. They don't require you take the tenderloins but why anyone wouldn't take them is what I'm confused about.

As I understand it, if you are processing on-site you can do whatever you want with the deer before you transport.

But if you aren't, you can only legally transport a gutted deer or a quartered deer, as I previously posted. This is my understanding of the TPWD rules. I just want to comply with the rules in case I get stopped by the game warden.

Others can chime in if they read the rules differently. TIA

You can't do whatever you want before transport. You can process in camp IF camp qualifies as final destination. If it doesn't, you can quarter, but cannot de-bone, cube, grind, etc. and proof of sex is required. Processing in Camp

Field dress only if unable to skin and quarter right away. Is it unlawful to debone the quarters at the lease if you do have refrigeration?

Field dress immediately after killing and take to local processer. If it after hours put in their cooler. They do a much better job than I ever could or would.

You can only process a deer further than 4 quarters for immediate consumption in camp. Otherwise it must remain quartered with proof of sex as well.

I take everything but the ribs... and still don't gut the animal... ribs are just not worth it imo.. the flank is kept, tenders, strap.. neck meat, shoulders, hams... I usually got a big hole in the heart so its no good anyway

you guys wanting to process and transport you can fill out a W.R.D.

Are ya'll saying you can't transport the deer whole?

you can transport whole but you have to keep it edible.

I do the same.. it helps rid it of that game flavour that at times can be super strong.


Soaking it in ice water for a few days.

You can debone a deer in camp only if you have an on site walk in cooler or equivilent and have the TPW cold storage log book.

Newbie question, for proof of sex do you have to bring the head of the doe or buck with you to the processor?

We used to do a lot more. I didn't even know til 2 years ago that you could take a gutted, unskined deer to the processor. I'll let them do the dirty work now. I just gut them in the field, and cut the head off it I want to make a European mount. Take both with me to the processor and drop it off.

For the newbie, yes, take the head the head of the deer to the processor for proof of sex.

I get the deer skinned and the meat on ice as soon as possible. If practical I skin before I gut. If I have to handle him by myself, I gut him where he falls and skin him later. For those who don't keep the neck meat let me share this. Cook the neck in the pressure cooker with potatoes, carrots, and onions and it is a great tasting roast (the neck meat has more flavor than any other meat on the deer). Now the neck has become one of my favorite parts. The neck is also excellent for making tamales.Once again cook it in the pressure cooker then "string" the meat out for carne desebrada.