after the kill...
 

i need some help i want to go big game hunting this year with my buddy for either moose or bear but i have no clue what to do after the kill how do i get it prepared and how to set up a butcher where to bring it and how to get it out of the bush, can you guys help me out? tell me everything i need to know after the shoot...

thanks alot

Have you ever dressed any game? Where are you planning on hunting. There is a big difference in bear and moose, for bear I would recommend seeing a taxidermist,most will be happy to tell you how to skin and other wise handle your trophy,if your in a warm area,you need to be sure you can cool the meat bear seems to spoil quickly and moose is never easy to cool the thighs and shoulders are large pieces of meat and hold heat well, rapid cooling leads to better quality meat, and both are to good to waste and deserve better than to end up in the garbage.Divide the meat into the smallest pieces you can legally and reasonably,places them in a cotton game bag and hang in the shade or other cool area with good air movement.
Alex

no I never have I've watched people do it many times before though... I'm from canada......how would I get it cooled fast enough could I put it on ice some how?

You may want to try something smaller for your first time. A moose is a large animal and a ton of meat to properly care for. I cary game bags around with me so if I do shoot something in the heat I can cut it up skin it and hang in the shade ASAP. However getting a moose out is very challenging. Hopefully you have a few people that can help.

Don't know Canadian regs but can you even get tags this late in the season? Best bet is to find someone who knows what they're doing and go with them. If that's not possible there's lots of videos on youtube showing how to cut up big game.

I would start with a deer. Easy for you and your buddy to haul out in one trip after it's dressed and quartered.

You'll be forever getting a moose out.

Listen to the other members and start with something smaller. An elk or a moose is not for a first timer unless you have several helpers. The bull elk my buddy shot last year in Wyoming took us 4 trips and 1 1/2 days to backpack out to the truck and it was only 1 1/4 miles!!! Moose are bigger and I've also helped on the smaller Shiras up in Idaho in 2007---never again without a couple mules or horses!!!

It's good that you are thinking about this before you go hunting rather than after you have an animal on the ground. There are videos about cleaning just about anything on Youtube. I know you've seen it done a few times, but I think it helps to see it a few times when you're not caught up in the moment during a hunt.
Good Luck.

thanks alot guys!

Another thing is if you are quartering don't even bother with field dressing. You can get it all with out that extra work.

Depending on where you are in Canada, even a moose needs to be brought out whole! Quite and undertaking ( I am sure there are exceptions to this in many of the western provinces) whole that is, after being gutted.
Those areas that dont require it coming out whole, all useable meat must come out. Bears field dress pretty much just like a deer. In principle except for the size, moose also- you will need block and tackle and axes though! I agree with everyone else: start with deer, learn the basics. A moose can spoil in a day in warm weather- a horrible shame to be avoided. You are likely to encounter a bear while deer hunting as a bonus. Bear is fine eating also, if treated properly. Gut as soon as possible, cool, and keep clean. Treat it like real meat, not a cast off as many do.

You are dong the right thing thinking about this in advance instead of fretting over it after the game is on the ground.

The Advice given so far is very sound. I would also recommend something smaller for your First big game animal also.

The only thing I would add to the advice given would be to look at the closest town to your planned hunting area for a local butcher/game processer. I don't know Canada, but you can contact the local Chamber of Commerce (or your version of that organization) and ask for a list of them. Use the internet, phone book, or if close enough take drive there and look for one. As mentioned Elk and Moose are Big critters and those quarters will hold a lot of heat. Getting the meat properly cooled and cared for will make a huge difference in the end product you put on the table.

Good luck with everything. Sounds like a great adventure. Be sure to let us know how it turns out.