Doug Leier: Care in the field can make or break wild game in the kitchen

WEST FARGO – If you're anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself standing over a tailgate in November with cold fingers, a pocketknife that could use sharpening and a few regrets.

Whether it’s a whitetail buck from the Sheyenne River breaks, a Badlands muley or prairie fawn, how we handle wild game after the shot matters just as much as the shot itself.

Each fall, I talk with hunters who are eager to do things right – ethically, legally and culinarily. Good game care isn’t complicated, but it does require a bit of thought, some preparation and a healthy respect for the animals we harvest.

When it comes to big game such as deer, the golden rule is get it clean, cool and dry as soon as you can. After the tag is filled and the high-fives are over, field-dressing should happen withou