Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

[JamesCoste]

I recently took my 10-year-old hunting (with a .22) until he gets his 20 gauge for Christmas.<br /><br />I'm teaching him the basics of hunting with the .22 and teaching him to take one kill shot (make it count).<br /><br />So far, he has killed 3 squirrels. It had been about 12 years since I squirrel hunted and I forgot how much fun it could be.<br /><br />Here's the thing. I only really like to eat the legs of squirrels. I just don't like eating much more than that. There isn't much meat on them anyhow. I want to teach my son good hunting morals, but have mixed emotions about throwing away what little meat there is on the body cavity.<br /><br />Any other hunters just eat the legs.<br /><br />Oh, I won't eat squirrel brains or any other organs. I would not make it on Fear Factor for that reason...<br /><br /> Updated 12/26 <br /><br />We've had some rainy then very windy weather the past couple of days. The squirrels have been pretty idle. We've managed to kill only 5 of them the past few days. Now we have enough to feed the family. Squirrel stew here we come.<br /><br />

<br /><br />See the full-sized picture here: Proud Son.

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

I have a blast when go out squirrlly hunting, I cut them off right at the rib cage and eat the back and the legs, slow cook it all day in a crockpot or dutch oven with beef broth and garden vegatable broth with fresh onions, taters, carrots, fresh garlic, fresh ground pepper and sea salt. <br /><br />Making myself hungry.

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

jgregory,<br />I'm hungry too now. Thanks for that recipe. I might try it. All 3 squirrels were large and old "men" and the meat will probably be tough. I like fried squirrel, but only with younger ones.<br /><br />So, you eat the hind legs and the back below the rib cage? That's an idea. I'll clean them that way and see how that works.

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

That was one of the things I discovered, It doesn't matter if it's a young squirrel or an old one they are all tough. That is why I switched to slow cooking them. I still sear them in a frying pan with them covered in flour. Then they go into the dutch oven. I like that over the crock pot I think you get better flavor in the dutch oven.

 

[NBE]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

You can boil the unwanted parts in water for a while to make a broth which you can then use to make a stew (after straining the unwanted parts out) using the other parts after you have simmered them down to tasty little pieces of meat. Yummy!

 

[Ron G]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

Ya'll just made me hungry,we use to it the brains with scrambled eggs mmmmgood,my dad always told me if you shoot something you better be willing to eat it.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

I'm with jg on this one. Slow cook or crock pot cooking is the only way for squirrels. As Brad said, use the remaining parts for broth for soup or stew. I like to take the broth and add some italian seasoning, salt and pepper, then some chick peas or northern white beans, and some soup pasta. Maybe some carrots also. Yum - good soup!

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

Had the (dis)pleasure of trying squirrel a few years back. The guy cooked it on the grill, would have been easier to chew the cutting board it was sliced on than the squirrel its self. Thanks but no thanks.

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

LT squirrel is extremely tough but done right its better than rabbit. I you had what I make you'd like it. Especially with a good beer or a nice bottle of red wine.

 

[KRS]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

I just ate the quail I shot last weekend, cleaned, rolled in flour and pepper, pan seared, than pan cooked til done, very good. Never had squirrel.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

Hey, I thought a dutch oven was when you fart in bed and hold your wife's head under the covers?<br /><br />

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

Plus I agree about eating squirrel, and if you think about it, you are eating a bushy tailed rat, which makes it even worse. <br /><br />But of course to each his own!

 

[Link]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

JamesCoste <br />Not that it matters, but I like the way you brought this up and what your teaching the kid.<br />Sounds like you got some good recipes also.<br /><br />The parts that you ultimately dont use, the two of you can place in the woods for a much enjoyed free snack for other critters.<br /><br />Or put in the ground for fertilizer.<br />Waste not, want not.<br /><br />Way to go Dad!

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

Link,<br />You know, I never thought of it that way. I buried the head, entrails, and body cavity of the 3 squirrels he shot. Instead of burying them (which would turn the ground more furtile), I will place them up on a tree branch out in the woods. Something (we have lots of hawks around here) will benefit from what I don't eat.

 

[heycods]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

MURDERER!! Yep me to. find your best chicken and dumplins reciepe and sub the squirrel for the chickeen. emmmm good.

 

[cpj]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

GRAVY! YOU HAVE TO HAVE GRAVY!Its one of the 4 food groups which are : butter, bacon,cheese, and gravy.<br /><br />

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

Originally posted by Stiff Nibbles:<br /> Hey, I thought a dutch oven was when you fart in bed and hold your wife's head under the covers?<br /><br />

That's how you marinade the squirel meat. <br />Legs and back huh? I've got a few in the backyard I could take out with a pellet gun.

 

[NBE]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

I have to also say I agree with CPJ. Nothing better than a squirrel cooked down in a nice thick gravy. It'll get so tender the meat will be falling off of the bone.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

Stiff Nibbles....LOL.....No shortage of them rats with bushy tails in N.J......Correct on the oven, too....Guess I would eat one if I was starving, but......cuisine? Nah! Shooting a squirrel is like pulling the wings off a fly.....Unless I am starving or it is a greenhead, (and it's starving), Let 'em be .....I say.... .....JK

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Squirrel Hunting (Updated with Pictures)

cpj, you would bring up the squirrl gravy wouldn't you. That to me is the best and only way to eat them. Of course I'm biased because that is how I first was introduced to squirrl meat.<br /><br />My grandfather back in the 60's taught me how to make wild burgers. He would grind up rabbit, squirrl, and ground hog. Then make patties, put them in the smoke house for a day. Then he would pan fry them in pork fat. BTW, he used just about everything meat wise off the critters. Ya just didn't know exactly what you were eating. But they sure were tasty.<br /><br />My son Carl thought he knew everything about squirrl. He shot one, cleaned it himself, and pan fried it. Watched him sit down and try to munch on it. He finally gave up trying to eat it and gave it to the dog. Even the dog chewed on it for awhile and gave up. I agree, the only way to make one tender is in a crock pot being slow cooked.<br /><br />Good Post, most people don't realize that squirrl has to be cooked different than most other meats.<br /><br />James, that is a great thing you are doing teaching your son to hunt and clean his kill. One may never know when you may have to use those skills to keep alive someday.