I've used the gutless method for over 20 years, and never lost any meat. I was glad to give up that mess from gutting, and gutless is much faster and cleaner.

I will say that I don't hunt the afternoon. I want my kill in the morning, so I have all day to get the meat out. I hunt alone, and I don't want to be doing it in the dark.

Boneless has it's advantages and disadvantages. One negative it you're exposing more meat to the air. I find it harder to carry too, because it clumps together at the bottom of the backpack.

If you're going boneless. You don't need water. Use a tarp to put the meat on, and once you skin it. There should be hair involved. You get all of one side done, and then turn it over and skin that side and bone it. Dirt shouldn't be a problem either. Hair is worse than dirt as far as keeping the meat tasting good.

As is always said. The real work begins after you make the kill.

Good luck.