to squirrel or not to squirrel ?

[dago01]

I have just started deer hunting this year. i have been going with guys at work for a few years. But always went to just cook. Have been 3 or 4 times now and still looking for the first buck. Where we have been going is eat up in squirrels. Are squirrels worth the trouble to kill and clean? For some strange reason i have been wanting to go more to what i kill to eat than running to the store. all ready stocked up on fish. Hopeing to get a deer. But just wondering about the squirrels.

[OzarksLady]

I use to like squirrel fried or boiled with dumplings.

[hunter88]

Squirrels are good to eat. It would be nice if they skinned easier.

[Kachad]

Not much of a squirrel guy here, but then again most of our squirrels are the little red guys. But I say shoot a few, cook them up, and then make a decision!

Now, if you're talking Rabbits ......

[Nickathome]

I love the squirrel hunting part, am not the squirrel eater though. Tried them once. Maybe it was the way we cooked them I don't know, but I just did not like the taste of the meat.

[Tim Horton]

I haven't had squirrel in a long time.... But all my memories are that it was very good... Both rabbit and squirrel are good as far as that goes...

I will say, squirrels from hardwood forest will be better than pine forest game.. That kinda goes for anything actually...

If your allowed to do this... A strategically placed bag of bird seed grade sunflower seeds will result in a tasty animal...

As has been said, the first one you clean will be a tough job... The second will be easier.... Like said... Get a few, and try different recipes...

Enjoy...

[papa bear]

I actually like to squirrel hunt. but i understand you don't want to be shooting at squirrels while deer hunting. it takes a lot of squirrels to make the same meat as a deer
but a lot of squirrels can scare the deer away from you and give the deer warning. they make a lot of noise so you don't know what is coming.

some of the thing i do is while i scout an area i carry a 22 to shoot squirrels. while i look for deer sign. it is fun thought to watch the squirrels while you are sitting waiting for deer

dishes for squirrels, of course i par boil them
squirrel and gravy, fry squirrel, make rue and then the gravy
squirrel dumplings; boil meat off bone, thicken and use pieces of biscuit
squirrel stew; boil meat, add vegetables, seasonings and boil till done
fried squirrel; par boil squirrel, then double dip in flour and egg, fry in cast iron, by the way use seasoning of your choice

[Harbinger]

There was a time when I would carry a .22 pistol with me when deer hunting. If the deer hadn't cooperated by late evening, I could usually kill several squirrels instead. Carrying out the squirrels was much easier than dragging a deer out late in the day, and I would skin them back at the truck before leaving for home.

I also hunted during those time with a Valmet 412 combination gun; 12ga. over 30.06. The shotgun upper barrel was loaded with copper-plated #4s since we could shoot turkeys during deer season then before the Wild Turkey Federation got into it and lobbied to have the law changed. I seldom went home without some kind of meat.

[Kachad]

Originally Posted by papa bear

dishes for squirrels, of course i par boil them

I've never done that - maybe that is one of the reasons why I haven't been fond of squirrel?

Is this something that you do for other small game?

Thanks for the recipes and tip.

[StockdaleDave]

Squirrels and rabbits..always fried if at home or grilled on a spit in the field.

[papa bear]

Originally Posted by Kachad

I've never done that - maybe that is one of the reasons why I haven't been fond of squirrel?

Is this something that you do for other small game?

Thanks for the recipes and tip.

i don't par-boil rabbit usually. I do par-boil ground hog. but opossum i like to feed them clean food for a while.
of course deer and turkey are considered large game. I do of course scald the turkey to get the feathers off. I let the deer hang for 5 -6 days (skin on).