Field dressing is the process of properly preparing and cleaning an animal in the field. Learning the right techniques is crucial to preserving meat quality and ensuring a successful hunt. Float hunters often struggle to keep meat fresh on long trips, and this video provides advanced strategies and practical techniques to help.
Created by Larry Bartlett, a trusted expert in Alaska hunting and river exploration, this hour-long masterclass offers essential tools for success. As an author and filmmaker, Larry shares his knowledge and strategies to help DIY Alaska hunters thrive. Take your meat care and field dressing skills to the next level with this hands-on, science-backed demo.

Three Key Principles of Meat Preservation

Preserving the quality of game meat requires following three essential principles: keep it clean, cool, and dry throughout the field preservation process. Here’s how each principle plays a crucial role:

1. Clean

Promptly removing meat from the carcass and ensuring it remains free from contaminants like dirt, hair, or vegetation is critical. Proper cleaning prevents spoilage and preserves flavor. After cleaning, store the meat in sanitary game bags to maintain quality during transport and storage.

2. Cool

Temperature control is vital for meat preservation. Ideally, game meat should be kept at no more than 40°F. When temperatures exceed 50°F, hunters need to use advanced field dressing and care techniques to prevent spoilage. (Learn more about these techniques in the video linked above!)

3. Dry

Moisture management is equally important. A dry storage environment helps prevent bacterial growth and spoilage. Hunters should monitor for surface moisture and ensure proper drainage during storage.

Additional factors to consider when preserving game meat include storage time, bear interference, exposure to sunlight, bacteria, and fly control. The most effective tool hunters have for monitoring meat quality is their own senses. Regular sensory checks, assessing smell, appearance, and texture, are essential for determining the best course of action in meat care.

In his video, Larry demonstrates advanced techniques for meat care and field dressing, tailored specifically to the challenges of long float trips. These hands-on principles are invaluable for hunters aiming to bring home the best-tasting, highest-quality game meat. Successful harvests start with knowledge and skill in the field.

About the Creator

Larry Bartlett is the owner of Pristine Ventures based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Pristine Ventures offers innovative products for wilderness adventure, such as inflatable rafts, synthetic game bags and how-to books and videos. Larry is a staple contributor to Alaska’s hunting and fishing communities and continues to deliver creative innovations in the outdoors industries.

Visit Hunt Alaska’s Hunting Video Archive for more!

Field dressing is the process of properly preparing and cleaning an animal in the field. Learning the right techniques is crucial to preserving meat quality and ensuring a successful hunt. Float hunters often struggle to keep meat fresh on long trips, and this video provides advanced strategies and practical techniques to help.
Created by Larry Bartlett, a trusted expert in Alaska hunting and river exploration, this hour-long masterclass offers essential tools for success. As an author and filmmaker, Larry shares his knowledge and strategies to help DIY Alaska hunters thrive. Take your meat care and field dressing skills to the next level with this hands-on, science-backed demo.

Three Key Principles of Meat Preservation

Preserving the quality of game meat requires following three essential principles: keep it clean, cool, and dry throughout the field preservation process. Here’s how each principle plays a crucial role:

1. Clean

Promptly removing meat from the carcass and ensuring it remains free from contaminants like dirt, hair, or vegetation is critical. Proper cleaning prevents spoilage and preserves flavor. After cleaning, store the meat in sanitary game bags to maintain quality during transport and storage.

2. Cool

Temperature control is vital for meat preservation. Ideally, game meat should be kept at no more than 40°F. When temperatures exceed 50°F, hunters need to use advanced field dressing and care techniques to prevent spoilage. (Learn more about these techniques in the video linked above!)

3. Dry

Moisture management is equally important. A dry storage environment helps prevent bacterial growth and spoilage. Hunters should monitor for surface moisture and ensure proper drainage during storage.

Additional factors to consider when preserving game meat include storage time, bear interference, exposure to sunlight, bacteria, and fly control. The most effective tool hunters have for monitoring meat quality is their own senses. Regular sensory checks, assessing smell, appearance, and texture, are essential for determining the best course of action in meat care.

In his video, Larry demonstrates advanced techniques for meat care and field dressing, tailored specifically to the challenges of long float trips. These hands-on principles are invaluable for hunters aiming to bring home the best-tasting, highest-quality game meat. Successful harvests start with knowledge and skill in the field.

About the Creator

Larry Bartlett is the owner of Pristine Ventures based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Pristine Ventures offers innovative products for wilderness adventure, such as inflatable rafts, synthetic game bags and how-to books and videos. Larry is a staple contributor to Alaska’s hunting and fishing communities and continues to deliver creative innovations in the outdoors industries.

Visit Hunt Alaska’s Hunting Video Archive for more!