I recently put 2 items to the test and wanted to share them with you. One is an application for your Smartphone called “Deer Dummy” and the other is a Grizzly cooler. With late-hunting seasons upon us, and hunters harvesting deer on a daily basis, I hope these product reviews will be of use to you.
Marti Davis Afield is sponsored by HERCAMOSHOP.com
Deer Dummy
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newbie at field dressing, there’s an app for that. Deer Dummy is a mobile app for iPhone/iPad and Android users. It includes a step-by-step video tutorial, narrated by Ron Schara along with pictorial instructions showing how to field dress your deer.
Deer Dummy brings more than 30 years of meat cutting experience to its field guide. Even if you’re a seasoned veteran, you might learn to perfect your field dressing or meat cutting techniques by viewing this app.
Once you have downloaded the app, you won’t have to worry about being out in the middle of the woods without Internet access. The helpful app will be stored on your phone and right at your fingertips.
You can purchase this application at the iTunes store or Android market for $3.99. The application isn’t the only option Deer Dummy offers; its website also has a store with a line of products to aid you in butchering and cooking venison. The website shares tasty venison recipes and even a blog with more helpful tips.
Elizabeth makes her first cut, following the Deer Dummy applications step-by-step instructions. Photo courtesy of Jon Poulson
I took 15-year-old Elizabeth, a first-time deer hunter, out during the Missouri antlerless season. We used the Deer Dummy application when field dressing her deer. Not only was this her first time taking a deer but it was also was her first time seeing it field dressed. Even though I’m familiar with the process, the application was very helpful with instructing her step-by-step on the proper way to gut the deer. We then continued the next morning, skinning and quartering the deer. I wanted to give her the full experience — from field to freezer.
The Deer Dummy filet knife is great for skinning and flexible enough to get in tight around the bones. This allows you to get as much of the meat as possible. If used correctly, you will see very little waste.
Grizzly Coolers
I recently received the Grizzly 60 Hunting Cooler ($389.99) to try. I am impressed. This portable hunting “ice box” is an ideal way to carry what you need for deer camp, as well as a super method to haul freshly cut deer meat home.
Grizzly Coolers designs its products to be a rugged piece of equipment for extreme hunting enthusiasts who want to get away for the weekend or longer. The Grizzly line offers a balance of durability and performance that you expect in an affordable, premium cooler.
These coolers are made of a roto-molded plastic that makes them stronger and provides optimum performance. Therefore, the ice lasts longer. The Grizzly 60 advertises 9 days and 21 hours of ice retention. The behemoth Grizzly 400 ($899.99) advertises ice retention of 19 days and 10 hours! The roto-molding process assures that each part has a consistent wall thickness and is free of imperfections, and that the cooler will hold up to the toughest abuse. The Grizzly Hunter line of coolers ($159.99 to $899.99) is certified bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. (I didn’t even know there was such an organization.) Grizzly has nearly 3 decades of experience in this process.
Marti puts Elizabeth’s freshly quartered deer in the Grizzly 60 cooler. Photo courtesy of Jon Poulson
Specs for the Grizzly 60
25.75 pounds
28.5 inches wide x 20 inches deep x 19.75 inches high
Can hold 78 (12-ounce) cans, 42 (12 –ounce) bottles, 40 (20-ounce) bottles or 48 pounds of game meat
These coolers use mold-in brass inserts to provide reliable attachment points for the heavy-duty, non-corrosive rubberized T-handle latches. The integrated heavy-duty handles make them easier to carry and can also be used as tie-down points.
In addition to all these great features, Grizzly Coolers come with a lifetime warranty and they are made in the USA.
I put Elizabeth’s deer in the Grizzly 60 and there was plenty of room left over. Another feature that I really like in this application is the large drain channel and drain hole. It ensures that the process of draining brine water goes much faster.
I used the Grizzly 60 on a recent 5-day hunting trip to Illinois. I iced down my food and drinks before I left. The ice remained in the cooler until I returned. I stored the cooler in a 55-degree shop building during my trip.
Deer Dummy and Grizzly Coolers are 2 pieces of gear I highly recommend and will continue to use, especially after a successful hunt.
Deer Dummy has various products, as well as the Smartphone application. The Grizzly 60 is big enough for the meat of a large Missouri doe. Photo courtesy of Jon Poulson
Marti Davis is a staff member for Browning Trail Cameras, WoolX and Mossy Oak. She is an authority on most types of hunting in North America, and very active in mentoring the next generation of young hunters. View all posts by Marti Davis
My family of 6 watched this movie together. From age 6 to 41. My husband and children hunt but I do not. However we all help process the deer they get.
Pros: The movie is quite detailed in the processing of a deer. I also like that you can play the whole movie or just go to certain chapters. All the chapters are short and to the point. So even those with short attentions spans can handle it.
Some of the things we learned were how to go higher on the back strap, which is our favorite part of the deer. Also different ways of cutting it for steaks or even jerky.
I think anyone could learn from this movie. We have been cleaning deer for many years and learned many helpful hints to make processing a deer easier.
Cons: My husband would have liked better lighting. It was hard to distinguish between the meat when cutting. It was also weird to have a narrator but to see the class instructor’s mouth moving as he instructed his class. But maybe they did this to make it more family friendly.
I personally thought using road kill made it nastier. Just because of the dark blood. But I am a girl!!
Overall glad I have the movie and if I can find a coupon will definitely get it for gifts for all the hunters I know.
Claudia, thanks so much for your comments.