Field dressing birds

Field dress birds cleanly and fast:

Pluck feathers from belly right above the bird's anus. Pluck enough feathers so, that you can make about 2 inch cut sideways of the belly. Pinch bird's skin between you fingers, pinch enough skin so, that when you cut it, it makes about 2 inch. Cut the skin between your fingers with a knife and after cutting it, cut more with the knife if necessary.

If you have a special hook for dressing, use it to pull the guts out. Pull gently and only as far as they easily come, then assist with hand to finish gutting.If you don't have a hook, put two fingers inside the cut and pull the guts out assisting with your thumb.

If you are in the field take just the guts out and the gizzard if you are not going to use it. If you are going to use the gizzard leave it intact.When you are at home finish the gutting before or after hanging. I suggest, that you hang birds at least until the rigor mortis is gone (the muscles are relaxed) .

To field dress immediately or not?

Personally I don't usually dress birds at the field, I do it at the base camp or at home. Of course if it is very hot or long time to wait, then it is good to dress the birds at the field.

For the best meat quality it is best to dress birds immediately, although this is not as important with birds as it is with mammals, because of different body structure. It is also good to strain the blood out. This is best done by cutting the neck below the cervical spine (the bone stays intact).