Off-flavors and odors may develop in the meat, and your risk of foodborne illness may increase. For optimum eating quality, remember the following handling tips during hunting, storage and food preparation. Care in the Field and in Transport Be prepared for the hunt. Remember to bring a sharp hunting knife, a steel or whetstone, light rope or nylon cord, plastic bags, clean cloths or paper towels, and a cooler filled with ice. Abide by game regulations for hunting, transporting and storage of wild game.
Field dress the bird promptly.
Remove the entrails and crop as soon as possible because the grain in the crop may ferment if not removed. The heart and liver may be saved for giblets. Store in a plastic bag on ice to keep them clean and cold. Leave an identification mark on the bird as required by state game regulations. The birds may be plucked or skinned in the field.