Which of the following is the best description of field dressing a harvested animal?

Field dressing a harvested animal refers to the process of removing the entrails from the body cavity shortly after the animal has been killed. This step is essential because it helps preserve the meat by preventing the contents of the intestines from contaminating the meat, which can lead to spoilage. Proper field dressing also allows for better cooling of the carcass, which is important for maintaining meat quality.

The other options describe different aspects of handling an animal after it has been harvested but do not accurately capture what field dressing specifically entails. Preparing the animal for cooking involves additional steps that occur after field dressing, while cleaning the fur or feathers concerns the outer appearance of the animal, and transporting the animal to a processing facility involves logistics but is not related to the immediate processing of the animal itself. Thus, the definition of field dressing is most accurately described by the removal of the entrails.