Once you are sure your quarry is dead, what is the first action you should take?

The first action you should take once you are sure your quarry is dead is to field dress it. Field dressing involves the careful removal of the internal organs to cool the meat and preserve its quality. This process minimizes spoilage and makes it easier to transport the animal from the hunting site.

Field dressing is crucial because it helps to maintain the integrity of the meat, especially in warm weather, and reduces the likelihood of contamination. Handling the carcass promptly and correctly is essential for a successful hunt, ensuring that you make the most of the animal you harvested.

While tagging the animal is important for legal record-keeping and compliance with hunting regulations, it typically should follow field dressing, as it is more critical to address the condition of the meat first. Taking a photo may be a nice memento of your hunt, but it does not contribute to meat preservation or safety. Leaving the quarry untouched is not advisable, as it would lead to degradation of the meat and quality. Thus, field dressing is the priority in this context.