I’ll use a 3” or so saw blade to cut a couple ribs off and make a large enough opening to get the heart out when doing elk gutless. Otherwise I have no need for a saw or hatchet.
I’m curious as to why guys split the pelvis? I don’t even bother with the whole cutting around the butthole bit anymore. To my way of thinking the butthole is inside the pelvis and not contacting anything I eat, plus I probably don’t leave 2” of it in there when dressing a deer so it isn’t holding much heat. If it’s cold enough to hang an animal it isn’t going to matter for the day I’ll hang him before quartering and if it’s too warm to hang one he’s getting quartered and in the icebox ASAP so it definitely doesn’t matter. I could be wrong but the last couple dozen deer, elk, caribou, moose, and pigs I’ve done make me think I’m not.
Of course I’m always ready to learn and all ears.
