The first game I bagged was this saturday. I got 2 squirrels, but i think the meat was damaged too much, as there wasnt much left. I was using my 12 gauge with 7 1/2 shot. should i be using a larger shot size like 4 or 5? Do I have to field dress them right away? or can I wait till I get home. What is the best way to clean and cook them? I'm totally new at this stuff so any help would be appreciated.
shot size for squirrel?
- Thread starter ricoboxing
- Start date
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
clean and cook them? Like a Rabbit,
use a 410 or 22 , or pellet gun, sling shot, a 12 is well just a bit much
use a 410 or 22 , or pellet gun, sling shot, a 12 is well just a bit much
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the problem is, i don't know how to clean and cook a rabbit either. maybe i'll take out my .22 next time. The bush is still pretty dense with the leaves and all, and makes it hard to get a clean shot (not to mention I have a really crappy shot). I'll probably give it a try though, I need the practice!!Levi Garrett said:clean and cook them? Like a Rabbit,
use a 410 or 22 , or pellet gun, sling shot, a 12 is well just a bit much
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Whatever you use, be certain its legal (check hunters guide) , and ask any adult, for dressing and cooking, or google it. Basicly you get the thing down to flesh , guts , feet , head, all removed. Check for any sores , or anything that does look out of place that may suggest that eating the animal may be of concern. Good luck, be certain of your backstop when shooting anywhere.
Yea. When you field dress em,after you gut em, Hang em upside down using a tiny gambrel so the vast majority of blood drains. Get that skin off so the meat can cool. Let hang in a cool dry place for about a week. mmmmmmmm. squirrel.
canadian hunter312
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County
lol we really need to get together so i can show ya this kinda stuff rico
when using your 12 gauge use an improved cylinder choke. i dont like using small shot because picking pellets out of the meat is a pita not to mention biting a pellet doesnt feel too good on the teeth. i like to stick with #4 or larger. only takes a few pellets to kill a squirell anyways so it doesnt really matter if you dont have a dense pattern.
im currently looking for some 12g 1oz loads of #4's if anyone knows where to get some. 1 1/4oz loads are common but not the 1oz.
to clean the squirell/rabbit make a cut between its shoulder blades large enough to get 2 fingers in. work it loose so you can get a good grip then pull in opposite directions towards the head and tail. break the leg bones and neck then cut em off. make a cut down the belly making sure not to cut into the guts. make a cut between the back legs to get the ####ter out then just pull all the guts out.
save the tails for people who make their own lures and flies
when using your 12 gauge use an improved cylinder choke. i dont like using small shot because picking pellets out of the meat is a pita not to mention biting a pellet doesnt feel too good on the teeth. i like to stick with #4 or larger. only takes a few pellets to kill a squirell anyways so it doesnt really matter if you dont have a dense pattern.
im currently looking for some 12g 1oz loads of #4's if anyone knows where to get some. 1 1/4oz loads are common but not the 1oz.
to clean the squirell/rabbit make a cut between its shoulder blades large enough to get 2 fingers in. work it loose so you can get a good grip then pull in opposite directions towards the head and tail. break the leg bones and neck then cut em off. make a cut down the belly making sure not to cut into the guts. make a cut between the back legs to get the ####ter out then just pull all the guts out.
save the tails for people who make their own lures and flies
make a small cut with your knife across the rabbits back. grab on either side of the cut and pull the hide in opposite directions (left hand pulls towards the head/ right hand pulls towards the tail. This will tear the hide free. make a small cut under the rabbits ribcage, stick your finger in and pull towards the rabbits tail. this will remove the guts. cut all four feet off at the joint with a knife or snippers, cut the head off and you are ready to wash and cook the critter. should take about 2 minutes. check the liver. if there are spots on it, throw the rabbit out.
12g is a bit much for squirrels but if it is all you have, shoot high over the head with your 7 1/2's.......
12g is a bit much for squirrels but if it is all you have, shoot high over the head with your 7 1/2's.......
ricoboxing said:
Is squirrel safe to eat? I used to shoot them all the time and throw them in the bush for the foxes and coyotes, but I always hear of people eating squirrel, and they're pretty dang fun to hunt, so I want to try next time I'm out. How do you cook them?
You cook squirrel the same as a rabbit,try and Google "Brunswick stew".
You can also scan thru the Game Recipes forum at the top of this forum.
I enjoy stews the best.
Good luck
.........Oh yeah,for shot,I reload #6 shot for everything.
You can also scan thru the Game Recipes forum at the top of this forum.
I enjoy stews the best.
Good luck
.........Oh yeah,for shot,I reload #6 shot for everything.
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canadian hunter312
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County
ive never wasted any squirell with a shotgun. common myth i hear is that 12gauge = instant hamburger. i say if you shoot properly you wont waste any meat.
another GREAT recipe for squirell is to debone them and grind them up with bacon and spices. then mix with bread crumbs and a couple eggs...mmmmmm....squirell burgers. so juicy and tasty.
another GREAT recipe for squirell is to debone them and grind them up with bacon and spices. then mix with bread crumbs and a couple eggs...mmmmmm....squirell burgers.
so juicy and tasty. - Location
- Near Coldwater, Ont
I agree with CH 312, #4, IC choke. I use #4 for all small gme, including grouse. I think you guys that like 7.5 must really enjoy picking pellets out of the meat. As for what Eltorro said, when you consider that many 410's are fixed full choke, there should be very little diffference between a 410 and a 12 using IC.
