Grouse/partridge dressing

M

major519

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OK fellas, I've a couple questions for you.
I am currently getting back into hunting and have taken up birds, grouse or partridge as some call them.
I took my limit on the first couple days, utilizing my .22 w/ scope and some good clean head/neck shots.
My questions are; a) is a .22 the way to go, as it seems to work for me
b) do you guys field dress them right away or after you're back to camp / home, assuming a couple hours only between shot and cleaned?
c) what method do you use to dress them?
The method I used was to spread out on the ground, stand on the wings and pull up on the legs separating the body from the breast and pulling the innards out with it. Then I only had to remove the wings at the shoulder joint. I waited until I was back at home after about a two hour hunt and it was pretty crisp outside.
Am I doing things correctly?
 
Sounds good to me.

I also always try to go for the head shot. The way you clean them, i.e. the step on the wings routine is the easiest.

If you have a cooler, that's a good idea if it is hot outside.

Other than that, make sure you have at least one wing attached for identification purposes and you're good to go.
 
I like to clean them as soon as I shoot them. I use the same method. then into a plastic bag and into my game pouch. My fav. gun is my savage 24 which is a .22 over a 20 ga. the best of both worlds. If the .22 works for you, great.
 
Big Guy said:
I like to clean them as soon as I shoot them. I use the same method. then into a plastic bag and into my game pouch. My fav. gun is my savage 24 which is a .22 over a 20 ga. the best of both worlds. If the .22 works for you, great.
Click to expand...


.22 over a 20ga huh?

Ever had to pull the shotgun trigger cause the grouse was flying off? That be cool. Sorry for small thread hijack.

p.s.

Have some water handy to. Helps to wash out the little feathers and what not. :)
 
Your method sounds good, everyone has their own way to keep it fresh. I usually gut them and then defeather them at home. This way the meat isn't expose to heat to long and dry out. I bring a cooler along just incase.
 
If your shooting Blue's or even big ruffies then i would recomend taking the time to skin and pluck them - bigger birds have a decent amount of meat wasted if you use the wing standing method.
 
I used small ziplock bags to individuaully wrap each breast with one wing attached. I was concerned about the mess I made, mind you I was using a shotgun at the time. I found that after a long day hunting if you did not clean them right away, some might taste a little gamey if the shot pellets messed them up inside the body cavity.This may not be an issue with clean head shots using a 22 rimfire.
Some people here would say I have an obsessive personality, I like keeping the mess to a minimum at home, a little time to finish cleaning the birds, into the freezer with them, then more time to clean the tools of harvest.....
 
I wacked 3 Saturday with the 12guage and number 4 lead shot. I just breast them like I would a goose. Now i just need a couple more and we'll have us a stir -fry
 
A very cool method I've used recently is with a gut hook. This is like a metal "J-shape" which is inserted into the vent, poked around and twisted, and then removed, taking with it all the guts and stuff. Lightens the bird considerably, opens it for cooling, but doesn't expose the breast meat to dirt in the field. Very slick.
 
I like your method. I carry a pair of shears, these take the neckm off cleanly before you pull them and then clips the wings off at the joint nicely. You do not have to stand on the wings, simply gather the wings together in one hand, the feet in the other and pull.

But as it has been said this is not a perferred method with bigger grouse. I find that if they have cooled for a half hour or so they come apart more easily. Then a wash and into a baggie.

KTK
 
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