I have killed a lot of deer but up till now my wife field dressed them. I have field dressed 4 does so far this year and my greatest learning was to split the sternum and pelvis with a hatchet after getting the guts out below the diaphragm. Go very slow splitting the skin, muscle, and membrane in the area below the diaphragm as well. I was not fast but got all 4 does done with no contamination of the meat. It gets easier each time but don't get in a rush. A wire tie (zip tie) helps seal off the colon near the back end if you find tying it off difficult. My back also hurts when doing this. If you can rig up a table that would likely help. That is my plan for next year. If I get my final doe during muzzleloader, I field dress it on the ground. As a newbie, I hope this helps. I have had my wife as a good coach.
