A couple of lads I didn’t know turned the elk on its back. With the animal’s front legs spread I began by cutting the hide on its throat so I could get in and begin to separate the airway from the oesophagus. I was rooting around with my whole arm deep inside the chest. The blood was like thick grease and in the end I had to use both hands to separate the tissue that held the long tube in place. I tied it off with a piece of string. 188

The last mosquitoes in the forest were feasting on the back of my neck. The dogs milled around impatiently waiting for their share.

I placed the next cut along the belly and past the udder then flayed the hide back a few centimetres on each side to reach the outer abdominal membrane. Once I had messed this stage up. Sliced through the membrane and penetrated the gut. Evilsmelling stomach contents welled out. Breathing in the stench was bad enough but it also tainted the flesh.

Father was insanely angry. Foulmeat couldn’t be eaten. It was one error I’d never repeat.

Cutting with the knife edge pointing up I opened the belly at the same time as I pushed down on the rumen and the rest of the gutbag with my other hand.

The lads let go of the legs and let the animal down on its side. I began by pulling the gut out from the rear end. Separated the thin tissue layer round the spleen and worked my way to the point where the oesophagus passes through a hole in the diaphragm. Freed it enough to haul it out. To expose the four stomachs underneath the membrane coverings I worked with my arms deep inside the elk’s warm body.

Now only the liver remained. I tried to tug it away from its moorings but they were too tough.

Use the knife gunnargran advised. It’s only in calves it’s quite loose.

Finally I cut the anal end of the gut.

Well you took your time göranbäckström said and sniggered. The calf had already been loaded onto the cart. We hauled the mother up to lie with her wee one. I still felt they were wrong. Who would give birth to new calves if they kept shooting the cows.

The forest is full of elk göranbäckström insisted. 189

The world is full of men too I thought. Maybe shooting some of them would be an idea.

The crew was planning to overnight in the cabin. Have a sauna and drink beer.

There’s a bunk for you if you’d like andersström said. The others nodded.

Of course you should stay they said. You might spot a bull tomorrow and risk shooting it.