I used to do alot of small game hunting and always dressed out my game no matter what it was, however i didnt always take the hide off right away. The ones that I did take the hide off, I placed in a plasticbag and made sure it was tied shut so dirt and what else woudl not get onto the meat, as soonas I got the game home I soaked in a pail of salt water or brine for 24 hours before freezing.