Killing and Eating Critters

In Martin’s quail thread I spoke of cooking some dove breasts a friend had shot. Since I have been living here on the winery property, I have thought of learning to kill and clean small animals. Unfortunately, the guy who killed the quail has moved away or I would get him to teach me.
There are rabbits galore on the property, as well as ground squirrels (don’t think I really want to go there), dove, and I have even seen wild turkey and pheasant. Is there a good resource for learning to kill and clean animals? I am a city girl at heart and have no clue.

Ask Manlin. He loves eating the petting zoo. [swoon.gif]

First step: Buy a gun.

Second step (especially if you’re hunting turkey): Buy some really fashionable clothing.

Have you got wild pigs up there?

PS, Put an ad in the local paper with this copy:

“Blonde, fun, fearless female wine maker seeks Davy Crockett type to learn to hunt and eat critters with.”


You’ll have a line out the winery door…

I think he has a point…

I think Linda’s just hinting for The Carg to step up and teach her all he knows…oh great small mammal master…

I give lessons in exchange for wine.

Killing them is easy.
It’s dressing them that’s the tough part.

As you can plainly see, this squirrel is overdressed.

rolleyes

All I have is 2 hand guns- a 38 and a 25.

You guys are always sooooooooooooooooo helpful.
rolleyes

Well, you’ll never hit anything with those unless you can get within ten feet or so, and I suspect the .38 might do some serious damage to a rabbit if you did manage to hit one.

I think Roberto may be on to something. Run a Craig’s List ad.

I realize hand guns wouldn’t be good for much. That would just be there to protect myself from the toothless backwoods guy found on the internet.

Without checking, I’m guessing that the answer to your questions can be found on YouTube. In fact, I’d lay good money on there being multiple videos on how to clean and dress all kinds of game.

I hadn’t thought of YouTube. Thanks, Kent.

Can you shoot? Rule no. 1 kill with one shot and kill humanely. That means lots of target practice.

I suggest a .22 long rifle (lr) rifle with a 5x scope. Shoot lots of targets. When you’re comfortable shooting to kill an animal, then rabbits. .22 bullets are super cheap. The bullet looks small, but I use the same round to slaughter steers, its not a bb gun.

Cleaning is super important, not to break and spill any viscera on the meat. A bunny once you start skinning, from hind legs down, once you get to torso you pull down on hide and it comes off by pulling.

Rapidly cool the meat and get it refrigerated. This is key.

Watch out for bubonic plague with bunnies.

Learn hunter safety. Take the local “Hunter Safety Course” it entitles you to buy a hunting license and tags.

If anyone is interested in something bigger, I got wild boar in the hills.

Ah shit, I do them with my bare hands - Chuck Norris-style.

Stick with birds. Ignore the ground rodents. Too many issues with plague being on the top of my “not good eats” list.

Pheasant is a good starter bird. Dumb, big, slow, dumb.

But, you’re also going to need to go to a shotgun for them. If you can take out a Pheasant w/ your handgun(s), we’ll start calling you Annie.

10 gauge is a big gun but you’re also exceptionally strong so I think it’s within your scope.
When I was a kid I hunted birds with a 410 and, quite frankly, was a good shot for a while, which you needed to be.

But bird hunting requires dogs and typically a team walking a line.

if you like game birds if I go hunting this fall I’ll happily ship some to you - but, please no bills for dentistry if we miss a piece or two of shot!

Y’all, I’m here to announce Peter’s new wine: It’s a Vermin-tino.
wah wah wah [tease.gif]

Geez, Munch. You’re not supposed to be autobiographical here. neener

Ahhh woody…


I’ll send you the pellets I pull from Leeeenda’s birds. enjoy.

+1