Air pistol for Squirrels?

[bobnewboy]

As a beater at a local shoot, I can vouch that for those guns, gamekeepers and beaters know very well what to do with the shot birds. I take home a couple of brace in feather from each shoot I attend and I turn out a well received Pheasant, mushroom and onion pie !

However it is very very difficult to sell birds into the food chain due to the complex sets of regulations that apply to game meat of all types. You can see the tip of the regulation iceberg here:

Wild game guidance

Hygiene regulations for supplying game for human consumption.

www.food.gov.uk

 

[Chris]

I'm not sure many people who don't have much money for food would want a squirrel or rabbit or woodie. I've known a few people who've tried giving it away and not many people are interested.

Having prepped a few squirrels they do take a fair bit of time to skin, and at the moment don't really have the time to process them but need to keep their numbers down to reduce damage.

I think our feral cat has dragged off and eaten the odd one I've shot as I've found a head attached to most of the skin but most of the flesh removed. So, pet food is another option.

I love wood pigeon, so can’t relate!

Just think if people got used to the idea and just tried a stew and then found out it had squirrel in it, perhaps it’d start becoming more popular.

Not many starving people would turn down a warming rabbit or squirrel stew, in my opinion.

 

[Chris]

You need to try the 20 second skinning method; very effective.

I don’t have a chainsaw

 

[Broch]

I don’t have a chainsaw

Seriously, Kephart described the process in 1906 - very simple and very quick (only works on freshly killed squirrel though).

 

[Chris]

Seriously, Kephart described the process in 1906 - very simple and very quick (only works on freshly killed squirrel though).

A google hasn’t found me the details, would you mind sharing? Sounds like a useful thing to know.

 

[mrmike]

A google hasn’t found me the details, would you mind sharing? Sounds like a useful thing to know.

Kaphart - Camping and Woodcraft

"Make a small incision in the skin of a freshly killed squirrel (best in the nape of the neck), insert your compressed airline and inflate like a small furry balloon....."

 

[Broch]

A google hasn’t found me the details, would you mind sharing? Sounds like a useful thing to know.

Next time I do one I'll take photos - but ....

Just under the tail make a 2cm cut through the skin (some people cut through the tail bone)
Hold the rear legs in one hand and stand on the tail close to the body
Pull hard and deliberately up
The whole of the back and upper skin will now be pulled off
Cut through the neck removing the head
If all has gone to plan, there should be a V shape of skin on the chest
Tease that up with your nail until you can grasp it
Pull up with confidence and the whole of the rear quarters skin will come off
Now gut as normal

To be fair, it probably takes me nearer 30 to 40 seconds

 

[Chris]

Next time I do one I'll take photos - but ....

Just under the tail make a 2cm cut through the skin (some people cut through the tail bone)
Hold the rear legs in one hand and stand on the tail close to the body
Pull hard and deliberately up
The whole of the back and upper skin will now be pulled off
Cut through the neck removing the head
If all has gone to plan, there should be a V shape of skin on the chest
Tease that up with your nail until you can grasp it
Pull up with confidence and the whole of the rear quarters skin will come off
Now gut as normal

To be fair, it probably takes me nearer 30 to 40 seconds

Cool, thanks. Will give it a try.

I do wonder whether there is potential for some kind of charitable opportunity when it comes to the fruit of our gamekeeping and pest control, and those in need of a meal.

 

[mrmike]

Next time I do one I'll take photos - but ....

Just under the tail make a 2cm cut through the skin (some people cut through the tail bone)
Hold the rear legs in one hand and stand on the tail close to the body
Pull hard and deliberately up
The whole of the back and upper skin will now be pulled off
Cut through the neck removing the head
If all has gone to plan, there should be a V shape of skin on the chest
Tease that up with your nail until you can grasp it
Pull up with confidence and the whole of the rear quarters skin will come off
Now gut as normal

To be fair, it probably takes me nearer 30 to 40 seconds

Similar method to quickly breasting out a pheasant then?

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