Effective August 1, 2009, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Today's Hunter in Indiana online course—the official hunter education course of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Field Dressing Waterfowl and Game Birds

Regulations regarding the field dressing of waterfowl and game birds vary from state to state. For example, some states require that the head and a wing remain on waterfowl to determine sex and species. In some regions you must leave the head on a cock pheasant. Waterfowl and upland birds are dressed in the same way. After the animal is plucked or skinned, remove head, feet and wings; and make a cut across the soft lining tissue in the abdomen. Reach inside up to the neck and pull backwards—most of the entrails should pull free. In the field, you can remove the entrails before plucking for quick cooling while you continue to hunt.