How to Field Dress Bear

Field dressing may not be fun, but if you have already invested a great deal of time, effort and money into your hunting trip, and you've harvested your bear, it is absolutely necessary. When you field dress your bear, spend the extra time necessary to be sure that the meat is safe for consumption and tastes good as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber gloves
• Sharp knife
• Axes
• Ice bags
• Dry cloth

1. Bleed the animal by cutting the major blood vessels at the base of the throat. This will sever the jugular.

2. Put on rubber gloves and position your bear on his back. With a sharp knife, make a cut from the breastbone to the neck area just below the animal's jaw. Cut through the ribcage muscles to expose the windpipe and gullet.

3. Break the breastbone. You will probably need 2 axes for this chore.

4. Slice open the stomach. Separate the genitals from the abdominal wall, but do not sever them. Cut the abdominal skin all the way down to the pelvic bone.

5. Separate the anus from the pelvic canal. Pull out the anus, bladder, intestines and the rectum, taking great care not to let them or any droppings touch the meat.

6. Separate the diaphragm and the ribs. Pull the esophagus and the windpipe out through the chest.

7. Remove the heart and lungs. Drain any blood remaining in the carcass.

8. Wipe out the body cavity with a clean, absorbent cloth. Do not use water, as it can promote bacterial growth.

9. Cool down the carcass. Bear meat spoils rapidly out in the wild. Place ice bags in the body cavity to help speed things up.

Tips & Warnings

• Commercial fly spray works well for keeping flies off the meat while you are field dressing your bear. A can of common, household pepper does the job, too.
• If you are hoping for a bearskin rug to put in front of your fireplace, talk to a taxidermist about the best skinning methods. Poor skinning techniques make for mediocre rugs.
• The methods that veteran hunters use to field dress may vary. However, all experienced hunters follow 3 simple rules: Bleed the animal without delay, remove the internal organs as quickly as possible and keep the body cavity clean.
• Safety must be your first consideration when you are ready to field dress your bear. Once the animal is on the ground, approach it cautiously. The animal may be wounded but not dead. There is nothing more dangerous than an angry, injured bear.

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