BEST WAY TO CLEAN SQUIRREL

[Blacksmith101]

Since we have a lot of people who are new to the world of prepping, guns, and hunting I thought a thread on how to process game might be appropriate. If you are one of those who are new to this remember to watch the video enough to memorize what is going on because when the SHTF you may not have the ability to go look up on the internet what you need to do.

If anyone finds other good videos or other resources for game preparation please post them.

 

[Allium]

If you just read the thread title I guess the answer is

I put it in the sink with warm water, a little dawn dish soap, towel dry and then blow dry the tail. Then I give it a snack and let it go.

Otherwise I am no help to you.

 

[Terps2003]

If you just read the thread title I guess the answer is

I put it in the sink with warm water, a little dawn dish soap, towel dry and then blow dry the tail. Then I give it a snack and let it go.

Otherwise I am no help to you.

haha, one way to think about it. Just cut a little slit between the tail and butt, lay it on the ground, step on tail, and then pull up on the back legs. skin comes right off.

 

[VRC Racing]

If you just read the thread title I guess the answer is

I put it in the sink with warm water, a little dawn dish soap, towel dry and then blow dry the tail. Then I give it a snack and let it go.

Otherwise I am no help to you.

I agree 100%, you need to blow dry the tail for a proper job.

 

[Bountied]

Tree rats, yum.

 

[wilcam47]

Tree rats, yum.

Taste like chicken...

 

[Threeband]

Johnson's Baby Shampoo is better than Dawn for cleaning squirrels.

As for giving it a snack, don't offer it a cookie or it might ask for a glass of milk.

 

[Bullfrog]

Johnson's Baby Shampoo is better than Dawn for cleaning squirrels.

Do you typically load that in a 20 gauge, or .410?

How do you keep it from leaking out of the shell before you're ready?

 

[willtill]

I’ve always tried the slitting and stepping on the tail when skinning these rat bastards. Sometimes I pull the squirrel in half, which is no bueno. It just depends on the surgical quality of the preparatory cuts you make on the rear inside of the legs and the abdomen.

 

[Ponder_MD]

Seriously, what does it taste like? Is it very gamey? Are there cooking methods that can mitigate some of that?

 

[AlBeight]

Seriously, what does it taste like? Is it very gamey? Are there cooking methods that can mitigate some of that?

Have you ever eaten rabbit? It’s pretty darn good. It tastes a lot like rabbit, only chewier, it’s a very tough meat. I recommend using the Croc Pot and simmering it for a while.

 

[K31]

Can you skin griz?

 

[AlBeight]

Can you skin griz?

 

[Ponder_MD]

Have you ever eaten rabbit? It’s pretty darn good. It tastes a lot like rabbit, only chewier, it’s a very tough meat. I recommend using the Croc Pot and simmering it for a while.

A pressure cooker might tenderize it, too. I've had muskrat. The chef managed to get rid of the gamey taste by flashing the meat in scalding hot bacon fat. I have to admit, I'm intrigued.

 

[SummitCnty]

I’ve always tried the slitting and stepping on the tail when skinning these rat bastards. Sometimes I pull the squirrel in half, which is no bueno. It just depends on the surgical quality of the preparatory cuts you make on the rear inside of the legs and the abdomen.

I have never been able to get that to work. I cut a slit above the front shoulders, get my fingers in there and pull. The cut the four feet and head off.

 

[RRomig]

Seriously, what does it taste like? Is it very gamey? Are there cooking methods that can mitigate some of that?

My grandmother always made pot pies with squirrel and rabbit. In that context it reminded me of dark chicken meat.

 

[newmuzzleloader]

My grandmother always made pot pies with squirrel and rabbit. In that context it reminded me of dark chicken meat.

That's how I've cooked mine also. As far as skinning, sometimes stepping on the tail worked sometimes it didn't. I remember one time taking a bicycle pump with the ball adapter, slipping it under the skin and pumping. It was something I remember reading that was supposed to separate the skin from the meat. It worked until the separation reached the bullet hole then the air just leaked out.

 

[Makanik]

To get the greasy taste out of the dark meat use CRC BrakeKleen and compressed air. Chlorinated in the red can of course.

 

[Muleskinner]

Seriously, what does it taste like? Is it very gamey? Are there cooking methods that can mitigate some of that?

I make shepard's pie with squirrel. I've also spatchcocked them and grilled them that way..delicious..

 

[teratos]

Seriously, what does it taste like? Is it very gamey? Are there cooking methods that can mitigate some of that?

Squirrel is not very gamey. It’s more flavorful than dark meat chicken, though as mentioned can be a little tougher. Crock pots are good for squirrel. Sous Vide for 12-24 hours can really tenderize it. We also do pot pie.

If you want a traditional American dish, Brunswick stew has traditionally been made with squirrel, among other meats.