That much I wouldn't put all at once in one spot, for precisely the reason you think about. A rodent might not dig 3' for lard, but I could see a bear doing it - if that's a concern. If you find yourself in the same spot again, you could always freeze it if you have the space and parcel it out over time to your critters and garden (including wild birds, who I'd wager would be happy to have it in winter).

My favorite pie crust recipe doesn't call for lard but I see no reason why you couldn't replace lard for the shortening. I used to make lard pie crust most of the time but realized one day that while I liked it for savory pies I really like butter based crusts better for dessert pies. Foolproof Pie Dough Cook's Illustrated Vodka is essential to the texture of the crust and imparts no flavordo not substitute. This dough will be moister and more supple than most standard pie doughs and will require more flour to roll out (up to 1/4 cup). INGREDIENTS--For one 9-inch Single-Crust Pie 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (6 1/4 ounces) 1/2 teaspoon table salt 1 tablespoon sugar 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (3/4 stick), cut into 1/4-inch slices 1/4 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening , cut into 2 pieces 2 tablespoons vodka , cold 2 tablespoons cold water 1. Process 3/4 cups flour, salt, and sugar together in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogeneous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 10 seconds (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds with some very small pieces of butter remaining, but there should be no uncoated flour). Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining 1/2 cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl. 2. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Flatten dough into 4-inch disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days. 3. Adjust oven rack to lowest position, place rimmed baking sheet on oven rack, and heat oven to 425 degrees. Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out on generously floured (up to ¼ cup) work surface to 12-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick. Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll into pie plate, leaving at least 1-inch overhang on each side. Working around circumference, ease dough into plate by gently lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand. Leave overhanging dough in place; refrigerate until dough is firm, about 30 minutes. 4. Trim overhang to ½ inch beyond lip of pie plate. Fold overhang under itself; folded edge should be flush with edge of pie plate. Flute dough or press the tines of a fork against dough to flatten it against rim of pie plate. Refrigerate dough-lined plate until firm, about 15 minutes. 5. Remove pie pan from refrigerator, line crust with foil, and fill with pie weights or pennies. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and weights, rotate plate, and bake for 5 to 10 minutes additional minutes until crust is golden brown and crisp. Note: I've doubled this recipe for two crust pies, just rolled, filled and put the top crust on, it's wonderful. Nancy

The lard is all done, it took about 2.5 hrs and I ended up with a little over 11 pints. Here's what I started with... Just out of the oven... In jars... The cracklings taste pretty good to me and my dog thinks they are great. I may save them in the freezer to add to a few dishes I cook. I already used some of the lard tonight when I made a pork sweet n' sour stir fry. I didn't deep fry my pork, just browned it in the lard and then simmered it a bit in pineapple juice. Nancy

Madonna, for you I'll also pray for no snow, so you can get to your DH without any driving issues. Dave, my mechanic/son-in-law assures me that if your vehicle runs OK, just ignore the light until you can conveniently deal with it. It can be anything from the gas tank cap not being on tight to a loose wire in the radio. If it runs OK, just go see DH and get to the Jeep repair when you can. I was hoping you would get to go south, but with DH in the hospital, I guess that's on hold. (sigh) You'll both be in my prayers, stay strong, I'll be thinking of you. I really like the Nathan's Never Fail pastry recipe, but that other poster was having such an issue with home rendered lard that I decided to haul out the most basic recipe I had, one that specifically called for lard, and use it. The recipe actually made enough for three crusts, as I tend to roll my pastry somewhat thin, so I have an extra in the fridge right now. Maybe coconut cream... LindaC, you're right, I'm not worried about my driving, I'm worried about everyone else's, snow or not. And don't even get me started on those people who need to be talking on the phone or texting while driving, and can't even get through the pharmacy drive-thru without holding up the line behind them because they're busy texting instead of watching where they're driving! As for the pie crust, I usually don't measure the fat very carefully, I plop it in. About half a pint jar of lard in the fridge? That's probably a cup, or at least it's close enough, LOL. I remember Grandma used to use a two cup measure, add a cup of water then fill with lard to the 2 cup line. She'd then use some of the water for the crust, and didn't have a greasy measuring cup to wash because the fat floated in the water, so I know she was more careful than me! Annie