Upland Game Birds and Waterfowl

The hunter should be close enough to make a clean kill before firing at game birds. The sooner the bird is retrieved and dressed, the better the meat will taste. If you pick up a bird that is still alive, kill it immediately.

Since field dressing speeds the cooling process, game birds should be cleaned as soon as possible. If some shot pellets rupture the intestines, released digestive juices will spoil the meat if the bird is not quickly dressed. If you field dress your birds, do it in an area where the remains will not litter the countryside and offend other people. Make sure you know and follow the laws of your state or province.