Harvesting & Preparing Game Animals

Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed! RST.11 ‐ 12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem. (HS ‐ LS2 ‐ 6),(HS ‐ LS2 ‐ 7),(HS ‐ LS2 ‐ 8)

Bell Work /Objectives Describe the uses of animal wildlife. What is the function of the New Mexico Game and Fish Dept. Describe hunting controls. Describe procedures for hunting common game animals. Describe methods of preparing game.

Terms Bag limit Blind Consumptive Deco Dressing Gobblers Hunting gear Hunting season Non- consumptive Ornamentation Shooting hours

Local Wildlife What are some types of wildlife located in your area of New Mexico? What can each animal be used for?

What are the uses of animal wildlife? Historically, wildlife was a primary source of food for people. Currently, wildlife can be used for food, clothing, ornamentation, medicine, and recreation.

Many uses for wildlife…. Food Historically, wildlife has been used for food. Using an animal for food usually involves killing the animal. The exception to this is using eggs.

Many uses for wildlife…. Clothing Both furs and leather coming from wildlife is often used to making clothing. Animal skins, such as snake, alligator, lizard, and kangaroo, fit into this category. As with food, this use also involves slaughtering the animal.

More uses for wildlife…. Ornamentation This is using products from wildlife for decorative purposes. Some common examples are pearls, elephant tusks, and seashells. Using wildlife products as ornaments often involves killing the animal. Historically, many wild animals, such as elephants were hunted almost to extinction to collect ornamental products. Fortunately, new regulations and laws help protect endangered species.

More uses for wildlife…. Medical purposes This usually involves using the animals in laboratory research. Some species of wildlife are perfectly suited to test new procedures or drugs experiments.

More uses for wildlife…. Recreation This can be consumptive (using the animals in a way that involves killing the animals) or non- consumptive. Consumptive use involves hunting, fishing, or trapping the animals. Observing and enjoying the wildlife are non-consumptive uses of wildlife.

What are hunting controls? Hunting not only provides food and clothing, it also is a source of recreation for many people. Hunting is the most common method of harvesting/managing wildlife populations. To ensure the safety of hunters and to prevent over utilization of wildlife, hunting controls are used to regulate hunting. Most of these controls are implemented by state and federal agencies. Some local hunting clubs also institute further controls.

Hunting Controls Hunting License This is the most common form of hunting control. This license shows that the hunter has paid a fee and is legally entitled to hunt. These fees are often used to fund hunting safety courses and wildlife conservation efforts. Vendors sell or you may purchase licenses online through the New Mexico Game and Fish Department.

Hunting Controls The species that are legal to hunt is also a hunting control. If a species reaches a population level that is low, it may not be legal to hunt that species. Killing an illegal species often involves a severe fine, and possible jail time.

Hunting Controls Bag Limit – the quantity of an animal that a hunter may kill in a day or a season. Bag limits are set by wildlife management agencies following surveys. Bag limits allow only a certain number of an animal to be killed so that the species may continue to thrive and be available for future generations of hunters.

Hunting Controls The hunting season length is another control measure. Hunting a specific species of wildlife is often limited to a certain time of year and specific number of days called the hunting season. Hunting an animal out of season is illegal.

Hunting Controls Shooting Hours This is also another control measure that limits the time of the day when hunting is allowed. Shooting hours can vary by the species being hunted and state codes. In NM the hunting day is half and hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.

Hunting Controls Hunting gear Any device used to hunt wildlife. (ex. Firearm, bow or shotgun) The hunting gear that is legal to use can vary with the species being hunted. Some species, such as deer, will have parts of the hunting season limited to a certain type of hunting gear, such as bow season or black powder rifle season followed by high power rifle.

Hunting Controls Ammunition is regulated as a hunting control. Laws will allow only certain types of ammunition for hunting specific species of wildlife. Many states limit the magazine capacity of the weapon.

Hunting Controls The location where hunting is allowed. Discharging a firearm is usually limited to certain areas. Violating the laws associated with discharging a firearm can result in fines.

Hunting Controls Clothing worn by the hunter. The clothing worn by hunters is designed to protect the hunter. Laws usually require hunters to wear a certain amount of bright orange clothing. This is to provide visibility to other hunters and prevent accidental shootings.

What are the procedures for hunting common game animals? The procedures used to hunt vary on the species of animal being hunted. Understanding that effective procedures can make hunting a safer, more productive activity.

Procedures for hunting quail/pheasants. Since quail often make large, grassy fields their home, hunters often start at one side of the habitat and slowly walk across. Dogs are often used to spot quail. When the quail take off to fly, the hunters raise their shotguns and shoot the quail. Then the dogs will retrieve the downed quail.

Procedures for hunting deer. Often, the hunter will position himself in a concealed location and wait for the deer to come by. This location may be in a stand, or in a blind. A blind is a structure designed to conceal a hunter. It is often constructed of canvas, tree limbs, lumber, and other materials to camouflage the hunter. Stalking is also an effective method.

Procedures for hunting deer. Some hunters walk through the forest to hunt deer while other use a blind or stand. Still other hunters use dogs, although this is not legal in New Mexico. Glassing and stalking deer is a commonly accepted form of hunting in our state.

Procedures for hunting turkey The hunting season for turkeys varies throughout the country. Male turkeys, called gobblers, are the goal of hunters. Hunters will camouflage themselves and wait for the turkeys to come by. Often, devices that mimic the sound of the turkey are used to lure turkeys close to the hunter. Usually shotguns are used to hunt turkeys.

Procedures for hunting ducks and geese. These birds are usually hunted in and around streams and other bodies of water. Hunters usually use a combination of decoys (fake duck or goose) and calls to lure the birds close to them. The decoys are usually made of wood, plastic, or rubber. The hunters usually position themselves in a blind.

Procedures for hunting rabbit and squirrel. These animals are usually hunted in or near wooded areas. Both shotguns and rifles are used. Often, the hunter will walk through the area looking for rabbits and squirrels.

How do we prepare wild game? Properly preparing the game that is killed when hunting is necessary to gain full use of the animal while preventing spoilage and minimizing the loss or waste from the animal.

How do we prepare wild game? Dressing the animal is the first step, it involves removing the hair, skin, internal organs, and other non-needed parts of the animal. Big game animals, such as a deer, are handled differently than small game animals, such as a squirrel.

Dressing big game animals. These animals are dressed as quickly as possible after being killed. hey are usually hung from a tree or other structure to cool the meat. Next, the hunter will take a sharp knife and split the deer in order to remove the internal organs.

Dressing big game animals. It remains hanging to allow all the blood to flow out of the carcass. The deer is then refrigerated and further processed.

Dressing small game This preparation varies between species. Animals with fur are usually skinned and dressed immediately after they are killed. Then the carcass is cut into quarters for easy cooking.

Dressing small game Birds must have all feathers removed and this is often done immediately after they are killed. Next, the internal organs are removed and the carcass is thoroughly washed. Smaller birds are often cooked whole, while larger birds are sometimes quartered.

Review / Summary What are the uses of animal wildlife? What are hunting controls? What are the procedures for hunting common game animals? How do we prepare game?

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