Field Dressing Small Game

Follow these steps to field dress small game.

1. Wear plastic or latex gloves. 
   
2. If you want, skin the small game animal, such as a rabbit, before making the cut to remove the entrails (step 3). If you skin a rabbit, also remove the head, feet, and tail. (See figure below.)
3. Placing the blade at the anus, cut through the skin and pelvic bone.
4. Cut up to the breastbone, placing a finger under the blade to avoid cutting any organs. 
   
5. Reach into the body cavity, and pull the esophagus and windpipe loose. (See figure below.)
6. Remove the entrails. 
7. Wipe out the cavity, and allow the carcass to cool.