Growing up my pop would split the pelvis on the deer with his pocket knife. There is a small notch with a little V groove you can find with your finger that when the knife blade is place in it, it will split like magic when you pull on the knife. That said after one of his knife blades broke on him and he nearly severed a finger we changed tactics.
Since then and nowadays no matter deer or hog, we "ring the rosey" with the knife and everything pulls right out, no fuss no muss. Get them to the house we hang, wash, then remove everything with a knife. Real easy to hit the ball sockets of the hip joints and remove the hams without splitting the pelvis. That saves it and whatever meat thats left attached for the bean pot.
Since then and nowadays no matter deer or hog, we "ring the rosey" with the knife and everything pulls right out, no fuss no muss. Get them to the house we hang, wash, then remove everything with a knife. Real easy to hit the ball sockets of the hip joints and remove the hams without splitting the pelvis. That saves it and whatever meat thats left attached for the bean pot.