The moose would have provided a great amount of food for the group, but French decides it is impossible to use all of the meat. Why?

When French considers whether he should shoot the moose, he thinks about the amount of meat they would have from the animal. He knows they can use only
about half the meat. Though they have the knowledge and ability to smoke the rest of the meat, French knows Miig will not allow them to remain in one place for long enough to accomplish that. They would have to keep a fire burning all that time, and the smoke would serve as a beacon to anyone looking for them.