iMaelstrom

http://www.sticed.com/dayz/ There's the color-coded loot map if you want to use it. Very handy map for finding your way around. Really, the only trouble you are going to have with zeds is getting in and out of the city. They seem to form this ring around the city, but there are very few zeds once you actually get inside.

Yes, you need a hunting knife in order to get the raw meat from an animal. Hunting knives can be found pretty much everywhere (I always seem to get mine in stores or pubs).