My lads first bird

[TimC]

Alex aged 15 managed on New Years Day with the first shot of the day to put away a nice #### pheasant, he hanged it for a couple of days, plucked and drew the bird and we had roast pheasant for sunday dinner;

 

[Jay]

Awesome! And so begins a life long love of the outdoors, wildlife and the shooting sports, congrats to you and your boy TimC.

Cheers
Jay

 

[TimC]

Thanks Jay, he isnt a bad shot and does come stalking with me when not at school, he wants to be a vet and is happy to despatch game and equally happy blowing away rabbits on the farm!

 

[bruteman]

Thats awesome.

Congrats.

 

[gunasauras]

Awesome! That's the stuff that makes memories last forever. Well done to your young lad, as well as you Dad. Good on you both!

 

[jaydog]

Excellent! You must be very proud of your son, pheasant aren't the easiest game to shoot.
Can you post some details on hanging the bird please? Its not common here in Canada but I have been reading about it lately and want to try with some of my upland game.

 

[TimC]

Sure I used a game safe but at this time of the year its not needed as we dont have flies, game birds seem to benefit from being hung whole for up to 5 days temperature depending and its similar to how prime beef is hung to age it, the enzymes in the blood and tissues break down and the meat becomes tender. That said I shot a hen pheasant on the Saturday and plucked and drew the bird at the same time. They both were refrigerated overnight and roasted in the skin wrapped in bacon. I couldnt tell the difference!

 

[pharaoh2]

Good for Alex and you too. Congrats.

 

[straightshooter]

One more for the good guys. Excellent work, Tim.

 

[Vimy Ridge]

Congrats to your boy!

 

[cancer]

Hey congrats! Awful lot of work to pluck them though. Much easier to just pull the skin off and wrap the roast in bacon Mmmm...

 

[TimC]

Havving eaten them I find that both are acceptable, if the skin is damaged by the dog or from being shot too close then breasting is in order!
This though was the first time we have roasted them, I usually find them in the freezer after spring and mince them up for smoking and sausages or burgers and game pies!
I will roast again!