In this guide, we explore the differences, pros, and cons between harvesting and quartering your kills in The Long Dark. Whether you’ve just taken down a deer, wolf, bear, or moose, understanding when to harvest and when to quarter can be a key decision for survival.

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What Are Your Options?

Once you’ve secured a kill, you’re presented with two options:

• Harvesting: Manually extracting meat, guts, and hide from the carcass.
• Quartering: Breaking the animal into meat bags and retrieving the rest separately.

Each method suits different scenarios based on weather, threats, meat condition needs, and your character’s situation.

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Harvesting: The Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Higher meat quality: Harvested meat retains higher condition than quartered meat.
• Flexible timing: You can harvest piece by piece at your own pace.
• No hauling: Everything is processed on the spot.

Cons:

• Time-consuming: Harvesting a bear or moose can take 13+ in-game hours.
• Exposure to elements: Prolonged exposure increases risk of freezing or blizzards.
• Increased predator risk: Long harvest times plus scent can attract wolves.

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Quartering: The Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Fixed time: Quartering always takes just 2 hours regardless of animal size.
• Safety and mobility: Useful when you need to act fast or relocate to safety.
• Preserves flexibility: Quarter first, then harvest in safety or warmth later.

Cons:

• Lower meat condition: Quartered meat bags spawn with reduced condition (60–80%).
• Quick decay: Meat bags deteriorate quickly if not harvested soon.
• Heavier carry load: Quartered meat bags include bones and weigh more than the usable meat.

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Situational Strategy

Your decision depends on multiple factors:

• Animal Size: Quartering is more useful for large animals like moose or bear. For smaller animals like deer or wolves, harvesting is usually more time-efficient.
• Weather Conditions: If a blizzard is coming, quarter quickly and return later. Harvesting exposes you to weather longer, requiring fire and planning.
• Location Safety: If you’re near wolves or in exposed areas, quartering gets you out faster with less immediate risk.
• Meat Longevity: For long-term food storage, harvesting offers better quality meat with longer shelf life.
• Gear & Firewood: Consider what gear you have. A fire is often necessary to harvest without freezing, especially in cold zones.

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Conclusion

Neither method is universally better—it depends on your goals and situation. Ask yourself:

• Do I need the highest quality meat?
• Am I in danger of predators or freezing?
• Can I return later to finish the job?
• Is this a quick food grab or a long-term food stash?

With these considerations, you can decide whether to harvest or quarter efficiently and safely.

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Bonus Tip: For long-term play, avoid quartering small animals. It’s often not worth it.