how to do a gralloch by Caprelous


This is an article on how to do a gralloch which I hope will help would be novices who have com- pleted their DSC1 and are in the process of start- ing their DSC2 portfolio. It is every deerstalkers aim to obtain a clean kill with the first shot but sometimes it is inevitable through circumstances out of his control or otherwise where an animal does not die instantly . A set sequence of events are put into place to re- duce as far as humanely possible lengthy suffering and such procedure should be adopted by all stalk- ers to cater for this eventuality, I should point out however in the case history of the individual in question in this article all animals dispatched/ culled were done with utmost speed and the de- mise of the culled animals in this article was with first shot placement events.


It is important that every stalker after taking a shot should re load immediately in case a culled animal is wounded or dazed and tries to stand and make for cover where such would require a fur- ther shot, no one wants to track a wounded ani- mal if they can help it and we as stalkers have a duty to prevent unnecessary suffering.


If such an event took place and a deer was wounded it is bad practice to immediately try to follow the wounded beast up as such action will only push it deeper into cover and lengthen its time of suffering, A stalker should wait at least 20 minutes whereas the beast will have stiffened up from its injuries and be lying hopefully just in cover unable to stand where it can be dispatched proficiently with a knife with a cut to across the axis joint and artery in the neck.


On approaching a shot deer it is imperative to check that it is dead and a downed deer should be approached downwind so as not to frighten it should it still be alive.


No reflex action touching the eye ball indicate death, the candidate in this instance shows this by touching the deer with his stalking stick.


It is imperative that the carcass cools down as quick as possible so to preserve the quality of the meat this procedure is known as gralloching and involved removal of the Rumen and Viscera (Internal stomach intestines) and pluck (Heart and Lungs Liver kidneys) and Anal and urinary tract .


During this process it is imperative that the inter- nal organs and viscera are inspected for signs of disease


It is also important to observe if the deer acted abnormally or not prior to taking the shot as this declaration will need to be made on the certificate of compliance when placing a carcass into the food chain,


Visually the external skin and cleaves of the deer will need to be inspected to see if there was any evidence of foot and mouth along with the inside of the mouth , if such were present blisters would be in evidence, Along with all orifices of the deer if brown discharges were in evidence this would be an indication that possibly anthrax was present and as for both these diseases the deer should re- main in its position and the state vet notified im- mediately of your possible findings who will then after examination instruct you as what to do next. If your suspicions are of Anthrax being present seek medical attention immediately as this disease can kill human being very quickly if treatment is not administered.


I should point out that there has never ever in this country been one case of deer being infected with Anthrax but there have been cases abroad and stalkers must be aware of the dangers associated with Anthrax.


You will see in the picture below the candidate checking cleaves etc for foot and mouth and possi- ble warble fly


I Shoot and Fish E-Zine December 2011


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