Is There a Specific Way to Break Down Deer Legs for Cordage?

Removing Meat and Tendons

To begin, remove as much of the meat as possible from the deer legs, taking care not to damage the sinew and ligaments. This can be done by cutting along the bones and scraping away excess tissue. Leave at least 1 inch of sinew and ligament intact to work with.

Cutting Bones and Ligaments

Using a saw or sharp knife, carefully cut the bones and ligaments to extract usable sinew and rawhide strips. For sinew, you’ll want to cut near the joints, where the tendons are thickest. For rawhide, cut the ligaments around the knee joint, where they are most robust.

Preparing the Sinew and Rawhide

Once you have the sinew and rawhide strips, you can begin preparing them for use as cordage. For sinew, scrape away excess tissue and cut the strips to desired length. For rawhide, stretch and dry the strips to increase their tensile strength. When properly prepared, these strips can be used for a variety of applications, from securing shelter to creating clothing.