I was harvesting deer long before I heard of a meat processing plant. As a teenager I learned how to make a poachers sling by removing everything except the dew claws and skin from the four legs of whitetails.

With the head, entrails (gutted) and these legbones removed one can cross tie the four leg skin straps (dew claws pervents knots from slipping) and tie them together making a carrying sling.

This was whitetail deer and back then we were meat hunting to help survive. But I am off subject...Since deer have no shoulder joints I never advise others to take shoulder joint shots.

But I never stop wondering how a whitetail can jump eight foot fences, bound over logs and underbrush and land on its front legs unsupported by any bone attachments.

Always when I quartered up a deer I was amazed that it slices off cleanly without touching a bone or seeing one after removal. But now that I am old and filthy rich compared to those growing up days I just take my deer to a meat processing place and tell them to slice the tenderloins for frying and grind all the rest up like ground beef.

Please read carefully where I said "Rich compared......." From a sling shot to a computer is a fur piece. eh? Hunters, I have a variety of interests and participate in several forums but I must say that hunters are kinder, more respectful, more caring and appear to be simply better people than any group I have used this medium of communicating with. May this spirit and kinship never fade.

I enjoy your posts sir,
I am tired, cold, and hungry at this time. I guess the best that I can do is let you know that I am reading your writings.
Why is it it that you make me hungry every time I read your posts?
Cheezywan

Deer have shoulder joints... just the same as you and I do... its a little different orientation, but its a ligament supported ball and socket joint nonetheless.

I'm not old or filthy rich, I work and go to school full time and hunting is a luxury for me, but I have to cut up my own deer and all that fun stuff, I make all my own jerky and sausage and steaks and grind.... next to developing a load, thats easily my favorite thing...

Mattsbox99 I would wager that you are filthy rich compared to what I experienced at your age. I was comparing now to then. I am aware that deer shoulders have bone pivot joints but was referring to the FACT that there is no socket systom connected to the body skelletion. U appear to want to argue rather than exchange ideas. I decline becasuse I would never duel with an unarmed man.

Here are some good pictures of skeletons, including a deer showing the arrangement of the bones in the shoulder joint.

http://www.worldscibooks.com/medsci/etextbook/5412/5412_chap1.pdf

Plate i, about page 3 of 5.

Ozarkwhittler, I know they come apart easy but they are a "ball and socket" joint. Like our own shoulders, they are not a solid bone socket wrapped around a ball similar to what we think of in the human hip joint, but a floating ball wrapped by connective tissue attaching it to the trunk via the should blade. The head of the humerus rides agaisnt the scapula in what in our own shoulder would be the rotator cuff. The connections differ as the range of motion differs so the comparison is not exact.

This is not to take a shot at anyone. We can all learn from the other board members out there as not all knowledge rests in one man, or woman for that matter. It is just a matter of knowing it when we see it and accepting it in the spirit with which it is offered. I appreciate what insights you have to bring to the table sir. Please understand that. We may be young and not have lived a life like yours, but thankfully, some of us have been paying attention and learning something from the older guys out there willing to teach.

Ozark, I agree w/ Matt! All mammals Have their shoulder attached by the shoulder blade only! The size of the socket is determined by how many legs it walks on, and the mass of muscle that drive the appendage. The problem in Whitetails is the size of the joint, compared to the muscle mass. Not a good shot! That's why even cattle have Chuck cuts! The muscle crosses over to make it tough. As far as being poor, it's all relative to where you live, and how you live. I cut my own Wood, Hunt, Fish, and I don't have a large bank account! Life is how you live it, Not about what you don't have, But what you do have, and give thanks for is what matters! JP

Thank you very much. Let me say that we old foggies learn much from those who are younger. Sometimes much younger. I love to learn and will study your post carefully. Listen to how smart this old man is. Here on the forum I have just learned that replies to the posts sometimes have two or more pages. I wondered what to heck the numbers were and clicked. Lo and behold I learned. Again, I appreciate you very much. I don't know where but somewhere it has been said: "A child shall lead you." My grandchildren are confused about me. In some areas they think I am a genius and in other they think I am downright stupid. I am ignornant of many things and continue to learn. Thanks

Thank you very much. Let me say that we old foggies learn much from those who are younger. Sometimes much younger. I love to learn and will study your post carefully. Listen to how smart this old man is. Here on the forum I have just learned that replies to the posts sometimes have two or more pages. I wondered what to heck the numbers were and clicked. Lo and behold I learned. Again, I appreciate you very much. I don't know where but somewhere it has been said: "A child shall lead you." My grandchildren are confused about me. In some areas they think I am a genius and in other they think I am downright stupid. I am ignornant of many things and continue to learn. Thanks

I think what you have said applies to all! My children teach me daily. All the best. JP

Alex Stanton loaded so many features onto the board that even his father doesn't know about all of them. :D Don't be afraid to poke around.

Hint: See those 5 yellow arrows near the top right of the page. Put your mouse on one and a little nessage about what it's for should pop up. The handy one is the second one from the left. Click on it and you get a list of your subscribed threads that have new posts since your last vist.

Bye
Jack

Alex Stanton loaded so many features onto the board that even his father doesn't know about all of them. :D Don't be afraid to poke around.

Hint: See those 5 yellow arrows near the top right of the page. Put your mouse on one and a little nessage about what it's for should pop up. The handy one is the second one from the left. Click on it and you get a list of your subscribed threads that have new posts since your last vist.

Bye
Jack


Sorry Jack, but what? Nice guy's, no double posts! ??? JP

Well, I'll be doggone. Thanks to you Jack I progressed another notch into this world of ten million notches. Best to you all.

I have to say this again because it is what keeps me real in everyday life. I constantly ask myself, especially when arguments start this one discerning question to test if I should be fighting this fight or not," is this something I know, or something I think I know?" It sure has helped me but for the life of me I never ask it soon enough. I strive to do better at that.

The other interesting thing I like to remember lately is the words of the Van Zant Country song. I may not get all this right but here goes:

Don't get too high on the bottle, just a little taste now and then.

Fight your fights

Find your grace (now here is the part I like)

Ignore the things that you can't change.

And help somebody if you can.

And get right with The Man.

Now that is some words to live by there.

Mr. Ozarkwhittler, I'm not going to argue with you either... I have the internet and computer access courtesy of the college I drive a '68 ford pickup... and I work from 4 in the afternoon until 1 in the morning just so I can go to school all day...

I shoot my deer in the lungs so I can save as much meat as possible, and I usually buy 3 extra doe tags so I can have the meat... I've never lost a deer, and I've never had one take more than a few short steps.

I drive a '68 ford pickup... and I work from 4 in the afternoon until 1 in the morning just so I can go to school all day...

Left home at the age of 15 and earned my engineering degree the same way Matt ... know just how tough that is to do. Keep chugging and before you know it, you'll be there :).

Very good. Sounds like you are earning your way. I appreciate all who does. Good luck