Squirrel??

[stick]

So I was watching a hunting show this weekend with my 8 year old daughter (Called Next Generation...it's young adults hunting and fishing). The young girl was hunting gray and fox squirrels in Missouri. It got me thinking...how many people in MN hunt squirrel and do you eat them? If so, can you comment on how good or bad they are and how you have prepared them. I'm always willing to try any new game at the table and was pleasantly surprised on a few animals and how good they are.

I've heard they tast like Loons. (kidding...kidding!)

Any comments?

[Rip_Some_Lip]

My Uncle used to bring it to Xmas dinner once and a while and it was good. I think he dipped it in flour and browned it on the stove and baked it in the oven just like chicken...lol. I have thought about taking my 8 yr old out this year with the .22 and try getting a few for supper. I am sure you will get some good recipe's from here.

[Quetico]

I always heard stories about my grandma making the ones my uncles shot when they were kids. She'd dip them in butter milk and pan fry them. My mom refused to comment on how they tasted.

[polarsusd81]

I was born in the south and lived there for a few years. Still have relatives down there. Squirrel is good if you cook it right. Because it is a small animal and quite lean, the best way to do it is a quick hot fry. Buttermilk and seasoned flour, into the hot grease. I have consumed plenty of squirrel over the years and will continue to do so.

My late grandfather was absolutely crazy about squirrel, and nobody has ever made it taste better than he did.

[DonBo]

More importantly, it's a great sport to get youth interested in huntig. Teaches them patience and stealth and the importance of making a good first shot.

They are plentiful and relatively easy to hunt. A perfect game animal for kids, or for those of us who just want to have a little fun in a relaxed hunting atmosphere.

[Mike89]

It's very good smoked too! They are good eating any time.

Mike

[UdeLakeTom]

Great tasting, though some of the grays way up north can be a little bitter tasting.

The fox down in southern Minn are corn fed. Yummy.

We used to do an overnite brine soak to get out the blood clots I think...You can also spice soak them.

I don't remember having them fresh, we mostly froze them and ate them later.

Although, it's been a while as most of my family don't care for them, as it is mostly the thought, not the taste.

[Chef]

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[bak2MN]

taste like chicken

[hartner62]

I usually cook up a couple every year and make them into a squirrel fettucine and it tastes really good. As stated above cook them quick and I would bet you will eat them again.

[LABS4ME]

Fried squirrel to me was always only so-so at best... But I always did enjoy the big pot of Brunswick stew... try that out, think you'll enjoy it.

Good Luck!

Ken

[BLACKJACK]

I used to shoot them as a kid and mom used to cook them up, as other have said, dip in flour, brown them, and bake in liquid for quite awhile until they are tender.

Two other pieces of advice, shoot them with a rifle so they're not full of BB's and clean them while they're still warm, that hide comes off tough if they're cold!!

I've always meant to get out and shoot a few in the fall but seems like I always get too busy going after archery deer and pheasants. A woods next to a cornfield is an ideal spot to go after them!!

[tsewdim]

Squirrel? I think they are delicious!! I'd eat 'em any day of the week.

[MinnesotaMongo]

We eat a few Urban Squirrel that my son pegs with his air rifle - it's just OK, so far. I wasn't overly impressed - but it's not bad.

What is slick is a game shears - boy does that make the process much easier.