Hunter Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 (edited) So, popped out with the rifle after work to see what would show up Ended up once again on all 4's in the forest creeping slowly towards a rabbit outside in the field. I just got close enough after some serious stealth work, and after not shooting bunnies for so long, my adrenaline was so high I couldnt hold the gun straight.. so I decided to creep a little closer, which worked, the bunny was now aware of something green slowly moving through the bushes at the edge of the forest. I was just brining the gun up.. and off he hopped.. damn.. theres me laying down, rifle resting on the wire fence, ready to shoot.. but I end up laying there for nothing good practice though. So walked along the forest a little more, plenty of squirrels, one good one in range.. pop.. miss.. doh! Kept walking, and I saw him again, running through the trees. I was determined to get him.. so I stealthily crept through the trees, bushes, and mud to follow him. He disappeared up a tree, but while I was looking for him in the tree, I spotted a second on sitting on a branch slightly down a bank, nibbling something and not to bothered about me there. He was maybe 20 yards away, I got a steady aim from a nearby branch, and pop.. sent him down the branch to the ground with a couple of twitches. The pellet hit him just behind the ear.. perfect. Its not always they die instantly like that.. usually squirrels require an extra shot, even if hit squarely in the temple area. But since this one wasnt too scared or aware of me, it took him by surprise. I have hunted squirrels for a while now, but never eaten them. So here was my first go a preparing a squirrel.. from the field to the plate. Was tasty as well! a little chewy.. but thats part of meat eating in the end.. I like to chew a bit Heres some pictures. I extracted the pellet from the head. Surprisingly very little damage to the pellet, but the skull was cracked in many places, and he had been bleeding a lot. My method of skinning: a single cut all the way around the animal just bellow the shoulders, and peel both bits off the opposit way. But first get a big knife, and place it on the leg joints (one a time) and bang down with the palm of your hand, then slice. Same for the neck, this cleanly breaks it, and a quick slice will remove it. Again the same for the tail. Next you need to make a slit down from the chest to the base of the animal, then remove the insides with your fingers, and push a finger into the top of the lung/heart cavity, and pull out the lungs and heart. (same as with rabbits) After this, cut the pelvic bone with a large knife, then remove the rest of the insides that are trapped behind the bone. After this, wash the animal properly, to remove hair, blood etc. A nicley washed carcass Now.. lay the carcass in a tray, pour oil over it, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and spices. Then into the oven! (ours is an AGA) This takes about 35-40 mins. And the meal is ready.. Good appetite! Edited June 15, 2006 by Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Hi, I must try tree rat sometime... Nice shooting by the way. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilderoy Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 I think this should be pinned. Good job!! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Your wish ..... my command. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted February 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Wowa thanks for pinning I will try to do a better guide with more pictures sometime.. but altleast this shows that its possible to eat squirrels (tree gobblers, not rats). I dont call them rats, as they are very clean, and dont smell, dont have fleas or diseases.. and are 100% eatable Nice to prepare because they dont have the same game smell as rabbits, which put me off a little.. as im sure it does with most people. These have no smell, hardly any insides to remove, and make a nice tasty meal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatingisbest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 what does squirell taste like, i suppose it might taste like rabbit?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatingisbest Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 (edited) i have heard that you can send the tails off for money (10p) Were you using accupells? if so would you reccomend them? Edited February 17, 2006 by beatingisbest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted February 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 Interestingly squirrel has its own flavour, I havent tasted this kind of meat before. Its not strong though.. I used to use Accupells in everything I had, but now I use Webly Lazadome pellets in most of my guns. I find these to be pretty accurate, and work a lot better in spring power/C02 guns. When I use pre-charged rifles, I use Accupells every time Im currently experimenting and testing the newish Logun Penetrator pellets.. il let you know how they go. But I did take a squirrel with a neck shot with one some time ago, and he went down without a twitch. So they look promising, but when I did a big accuracy test with Rabbitsopper rifle, out of 5 pellet brands, the Webly pellets out performed them all, so I kind of left the other boxes of ammo locked up in the gun safe, and stuck to Lazadomes for my current rifles. When summer comes, il have more time to play and test them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the pelt man Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 HUNTER Your treer rats must be different to the ones i shoot. Yes they are nice to eat, but when skining/gutting i find they have a very stronge sweet sickly smell. What with this and skinning matching that of the oldest buck Rabbit i have left them for the foxs after culling. With them in not such good condition this time of year, maybe i will give them another try in the fall when they are at there best. The Pelt Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 Seriously suggest you all try one they taste great LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 what does squirell taste like, i suppose it might taste like rabbit?B)? It tastse like Squirrel not rabbit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted February 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 Yup, they have a different taste to rabbit/chicken.. so dont miss it out thinking its a waste of effort. Perfectley good meat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 very informative - take a bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ratcatcher Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 nice pictures m8, i will try it some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ratcatcher Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 hi m8, found this vid, just woundering, is this how you do yours. http://uk.search.yahoo.com/video/view?&h=1...=956.5kB&dur=46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted February 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Nope.. took me much longer as I never did it before, but I will do that next time for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riothedog Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 I can't see it! ******. Anychance someone can go and get it for me please? I've got loads of squirrels in my garden and wouldn't mind trying it. I'd imagine that you skin it the same as how you would do a wabbit but I wouldn't mind watching this video. Cheers all RTD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riothedog Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Ah - ha! Change of browser and life is complete. I've just found another meat source! Brilliant! RTD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ratcatcher Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Ah - ha! Change of browser and life is complete. I've just found another meat source! Brilliant! RTD Glad you injoyed the video m8, i also havent tried eating one yet and would love to. Let us know what its like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper-Blend Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Nice going there hunter I myself have only eaten thr tree rat once and i must say that it is tasty, i havnt tryed preparing it myself yet though so after seeing these pics i think i will defo have a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted February 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 The whole reason I put this up, was to encourage, and show people that they can also prepare their squirrel meat Im glad people have taken an interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the lizard Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 BUMP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ratcatcher Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 BUMP Are you going to try it with the squizzers you get m8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenzie Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 (edited) Doesn't it taste a little...................nutty! Edited March 22, 2006 by Kenzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the lizard Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 BUMP Are you going to try it with the squizzers you get m8 I'll try 'em - but someone else has go to do the cooking !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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