field dressing is the act of minimally dressing (butchering) an animal in a way as to reduce the amount of weight that must be carried by removing the rumen ("gutting"), and sometimes other internal organs such as the heart. this is commonly done by hunters of larger game such as deer or elk. the practice also prevents tainting of the meat by prolonged storage before refrigeration. this type of dressing leaves the skin intact, as a protective barrier against foreign objects and dirt. typically, the animal will be properly and fully dressed at a later time, further reducing the net dressed weight.