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Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? #6902817 09/29/17 02:15 AM
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slippinaround Offline OP
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Without having to bother my biologist anymore than I have to does anybody know the science behind having to record field dress weight instead of full weight? I used to clean my deer by hanging them upside down by their hind quarters and let the guts fall into the rib cage. By doing this I can still get the tenderloins and everything I need without having to mess with the guts. But now I have to mess with them so I can record the field dress weight. Anybody know why they prefer this method vs dry weight?

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6902820 09/29/17 02:25 AM
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A lot of people like to field dress in the field
before bringing deer in to where the scales are.

That is just an assumption on my part.

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6902876 09/29/17 03:05 AM
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They get a better idea of the actual weight of the deer bc weight can fluctuate with the contents in the stomach and some deer just have heavier guts then others. Basically more consistent from what I hear.

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6903060 09/29/17 12:16 PM
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That makes since. A small inconvenience for me to get data thats needed

Thanks

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6903063 09/29/17 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted By: slippinaround
Without having to bother my biologist anymore than I have to does anybody know the science behind having to record field dress weight instead of full weight? I used to clean my deer by hanging them upside down by their hind quarters and let the guts fall into the rib cage. By doing this I can still get the tenderloins and everything I need without having to mess with the guts. But now I have to mess with them so I can record the field dress weight. Anybody know why they prefer this method vs dry weight?


So they can monitor herd and habitat health. The idea behind MLD is to protect the habitat from over use by keeping the herd at or below carrying capacity. Over time, with continuing management practices implemented such as brush manipulation, adding water sources to spread the deer out more evenly, controlled burns, etc., habitat should improve and so should body weights.

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6903089 09/29/17 12:56 PM
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I use to get live, filed dressed and caucus weight for a Houston county biologist... more info the better

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6903112 09/29/17 01:16 PM
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I agree with sapper, the dressed weight i think gives a better reflection of the body structure of the deer.

We do live an ddressed weights, but we are not MLD, just for our records. We also take the flank and rib meat for burger/sausage so gutting is almost necessary.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: redchevy] #6903118 09/29/17 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
I agree with sapper, the dressed weight i think gives a better reflection of the body structure of the deer.

We do live an ddressed weights, but we are not MLD, just for our records. We also take the flank and rib meat for burger/sausage so gutting is almost necessary.


Yes, it does. But the reason it is required for MLD is to monitor the progress of your efforts in improving your deer herd and habitat. Over a period of years in the MLD program, your weights should be steadily increasing. If they're not, you're carrying too many deer and the biologist will adjust harvest, accordingly. I didn't just pull that out of my arse.

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6903128 09/29/17 01:28 PM
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i usually do not mess with the rib meat unless there is a lot. But since I have had to start recording the field dress weight I have started saving the heart. Slice it up and sautee with onions and a litte worcestreshire. Even the kids like it.

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6903136 09/29/17 01:32 PM
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I completely understand the importance of recording the weight and comparing that data over a period of time to see where the herd stands in relation to the habitat. I was just wondering the diff betw guts in and out...

Some good points being made

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6904022 09/30/17 01:02 PM
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I printed out my MLD harvest logs last week and was surprised to see they had eliminated the weight column.

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: slippinaround] #6904025 09/30/17 01:08 PM
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I think the main reason is that gut weight can flex anywhere from 30ish-40ish lbs so dressed weight really gives them an idea on the true weight of the animal istead of his protein filled or heavly stressed at the time gut

Re: Why field dress weight for MLD harvest log? [Re: Navasot] #6904308 09/30/17 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted By: Navasot
I think the main reason is that gut weight can flex anywhere from 30ish-40ish lbs so dressed weight really gives them an idea on the true weight of the animal istead of his protein filled or heavly stressed at the time gut


That makes since to me. I was told to use the old harvest record sheet where you have to document field dress weight, lacatation, etc. When I printed out the forms I saw the field dress weight and remembered I was wondering why field dress vs weight on the hoof.

Thanks again for replies. Its always great to talk about hunting

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