gutting grouse

I like to cook the whole bird with lots of pepper, garlic and red wine!:D

grouse.jpg
 
Spitzer said:
I just grab the breast in one hand and stick my other thumb into the top of breast with my finger around the base of the neck. Pull apart and peel/rip the neck back and down away from the breast. Easy to demonstrate hard to explain. I found this method works better than the "step on the wings" method, and you don't have to bend over.
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+ 1 I find this is the easiest way, you can clean 'em while walking to the next bird thicket.
 
only 2 methods I know how to do are plucking and the step on the wings. The stepping on the wings is really easy but it takes alittle bit of practice the first couple times you'll probably mess it up and brake the wings etc but once you get the hang of it, it works nicely. just bewarned that sometime the REALLY REALLY smell, it's this god awful stink that lingers around lol. Not sure why some stink horribly and others don't. maybe the time of year or diet I dunno but just take that as a warning.

Plucking takes for ever and is just a pain in the ass, Don't ever try and do it that way. Not worth it.
 
Martin those look like spruce hens. We keep the gizzerd, heart and liver and put them in with stirfry or soup, as for the legs in soup be careful as the have very small bones in them. As for the CO's what do they do when you throw away the bones with meat on them from moose and deer, sounds like a topic on CGN's where some enforcement people are power hungry and have no common sence. Like I once said you have to be born with common sence, it can not be taught.
 
Just a side note for any BC "up and coming" grouse hunters... don't try the stand and pull method on Blue grouse. You'll just make a big mess and still have to clean them with a knife.

RC
 
popcan said:
:idea:

Don't forget, you're supposed to leave one wing attached for species identification, 'till you get 'em home..... (in case you get stopped and checked). ;)
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really? Ive never done that and had the CO's stop me and look at the birds and never said anything. I dunno maybe it depends on if the guy s having a bad day or something :confused:
 
Chopperhead said:
really? Ive never done that and had the CO's stop me and look at the birds and never said anything. I dunno maybe it depends on if the guy s having a bad day or something :confused:
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Your're a lucky man.

Having un-identifiable game is enough reason to lose the animal, swallow a fine and possibly a date in court to retrive your confiscated firearm:eek:

Dependin on the mood of the CO of course:cool:
 
Its so rare that I actually successfully bag a grouse, that I save the whole damn thing and pluck it when I get home. They're small birds and they taste so freakin good that I can't fathom leaving anything but the feathers behind.

Rest assured that none of it gets wasted ;)
 
JohnC said:
In Ontario the regs say you have to leave a wing on.
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isn't that for migratory birds???

because in ont you can only have 5 birds, it doesn't matter if its 3 ruffed and 2 spruce or 4 spruce and 1 ruffed etc........thus the CO doesn't need to know the species of the bird....... just the amount.....;)
 
JohnC said:
In Ontario the regs say you have to leave a wing on.
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According to the 2006 Ontario Hunting Regulations, this statement is true only when transporting migratory game birds.

I must admit that 2006 is going to be my first hunting season and don't want to screw up (don't want to play smart arse either). As far as I know grouse is not a migratory bird. If you guys know different please let us (noobies) know.

Thanks.
 
dudu said:
According to the 2006 Ontario Hunting Regulations, this statement is true only when transporting migratory game birds.

I must admit that 2006 is going to be my first hunting season and don't want to screw up (don't want to play smart arse either). As far as I know grouse is not a migratory bird. If you guys know different please let us (noobies) know.

Thanks.
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I stand corrected :redface: :redface: . thanks for straightening it out...
 
Sometimes what i do is just flip the bird over while its still warm, grab the skin on the breast and tear it open exposing the two breasts , then i take my fillet knife to the side of the breast bone and fillet each one off. Theres very little mess. But if you plan on transporting them, do the wing and leg pull method. I leave both wings attached and wrap the breasts in them.

I cleaned my first grouse when I was 5 years old by stepping on the wings and pulling the legs. Now that I'm older and stronger i just fold the wings back over the bird with one hand and grab both legs with the other and pull it apart. I also find that it works best if the bird isn't too warm, wait 10-15 minutes before you clean it. (it'll still be warm enough)

I also take and cook the legs and use them as trail snacks.
 
popcan said:
:idea:

Don't forget, you're supposed to leave one wing attached for species identification, 'till you get 'em home..... (in case you get stopped and checked). ;)
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:D Yea, but you 'gotta hit one first;)
BTW, did you ever get that grouse last year :D
 
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