RANGER HANDBOOK

(c) Wash out the abdominal cavity with fresh clean water. You can boil fowl or
cook it on a spit over a fire. You should boil scavenger birds such as
vultures and buzzards for at least 20 minutes to kill any parasites. Use the
feathers from fowl for insulating your shoes clothing, or bedding. You can
also use feathers for fish lures.
(4) Medium-sized Mammals. The game you trap or snare will generally be alive
when you find it and therefore dangerous. Be careful when you approach a
trapped animal. Use a spear or club to kill it so you can keep a safe distance
from it. After you kill an animal, immediately bleed it by cutting its throat. If you
must drag the carcass any distance, do so before you cut off the hide so that
the carcass is protected from dirt and debris that might contaminate it. Clean
the animal near a stream if possible so that you can wash and cool the carcass
and edible parts. Fleas and parasites will leave a cooled body so if the situation
allows, wait until the animal cools before cleaning and dressing the carcass. To
skin and dress the animal (figure 11-10 and 11-11).
Figure 11-10. Skinning and butchering large game
Figure 11-11. Skinning small game
(a) Place carcass, belly up, on a slope if available. You can use rocks or brush
to support it.
(b) Remove genitals or udder.
(c) Remove musk glands to avoid tainting meat.
11-14