What should hunters do to preserve meat post-harvest?

To preserve meat after a successful hunt, it's essential to properly field dress and cool the meat as soon as possible. Field dressing involves carefully removing the internal organs and any other perishable parts of the animal, which helps prevent spoilage by allowing the body heat to dissipate more rapidly.

Cooling the meat quickly is crucial because warmer temperatures can promote the growth of bacteria, leading to spoilage. By field dressing immediately and ensuring the meat is cooled down, hunters can maintain the quality of the meat for consumption.

Other methods, such as hanging meat in a tree, might not be effective in preventing spoilage unless the environment is very cold. Leaving meat in the field until later can lead to significant deterioration and potential contamination. Wrapping meat in cloth might provide some protection, but without prior cooling and dressing, it would not be sufficient for proper preservation. Thus, the best practice is to field dress and cool the meat as quickly as possible to ensure it remains fresh and safe to eat.