We cut the ribs and legs with pruners

[charles p]

For about 15 years, the fellows in my club have used a set of pruners to cut through the sternum of deer, and to cut the necks and legs off.  The cutters we prefer have about three inches of hooked blade.  It sure keeps our skinning knives sharper and is less dangerous.  We clean about 100 deer per year, mostly doe.  I recommend pruners highly.

[Swampman]

I use a hatchet.

[hillbill]

i can see where the pruner would work, however im like swampman, i have a very sharp hatchet.  one or two well placed blows ususually does the trick.i find it lately is my fav tool for cuttin up a deer.

[Oldshooter]

A recip saw works wonders on hogs and deer

[Swampman]

They are awesome too.

[charles p]

With a skinned deer hanging by its feet, I can use the short curved blade of the pruner and split the ribs without cutting into the guts.  When everything is split, I go to the pelvic area and start freeing up the guts, then the diaphram, and voila, with a little tug it all falls into the gut bucket.  No mess at all.  Normally I don't even have to roll my sleeves up.  That's why I like the pruner.

[rockbilly]

Ditto on the pruners, I have used them for years!