Regulations regarding the field dressing of waterfowl and game birds vary from state to state. For example, some states require that the head and a wing remain on waterfowl to determine sex and species. In some regions you must leave the head on a cock pheasant.
Waterfowl and game birds can be plucked (see figure) or skinned (see figure). Plucking leaves the skin on the animal and makes a tastier meal by sealing in natural juices, but it may leave annoying pinfeathers or down. Skinning allows you to clean a bird faster, and makes it easier to remove the heavy fat under the skin that adds an oily taste to the meat. However, its harder to keep the meat moist while cooking.
Mechanical or machine pluckers are available at some meat lockers or wild game processing facilities. Birds can be plucked manually by pulling feathers in the opposite direction from which they lay. If youre plucking in the field, do it over a trash sack so the feathers can be packed out with you.
Down and pin feathers can be moved by scorching the down and plucking the pin feathers. A popular method involves dipping the bird in a solution of paraffin and 185-degree water. When the wax is removed after its cooled, the down and pin feathers come with it.
Waterfowl and upland birds are dressed in the same way. After the animal is plucked or skinned, remove head, feet and wings; and make a cut across the soft lining tissue in the abdomen. (See figure.) Reach inside up to the neck and pull backwardsmost of the entrails should pull free.
If the bird is small, you can use a coat hanger instead of your hand. Bend one end of the hanger to form a small hook, then insert it into the opening. Push it up to the neck, twist, and pull. After this procedure, clean out the lungs, which lie at the back of the rib cage, then clean around the anus. Wipe the inside to remove blood and allow air to circulate. (See figure.)
In the field, you can remove the entrails before plucking for quick cooling while you continue to hunt.
Step 4. Skinning Isnt So Bad
Although many hunters think it’s illegal to skin a pheasant or grouse, it really depends on personal preference. One argument in favor of skinning a bird as opposed to plucking it is that the hunter may not be in a position where it is practical to take the time to remove every feather.
When a bird is still warm from being shot, it is simple to pluck it. The feathers will effortlessly come out, and the skin won’t tear. To be sure, some hunters don’t enjoy pausing their hunt to pluck a bird after every kill. When skinning a bird or plucking it from the field, make sure to store it in a zip-top bag to protect its exposed skin from dirt and bacteria.
Waterfowl and upland birds are dressed in the same way. After the animal has been skinned or plucked, cut through the abdomen’s soft lining tissue and remove the head, feet, and wings. (See figure. Pull backwards, reaching inside to the neck; most of the entrails should come free.
It is possible to move down and pin feathers by burning the down and pulling the pin feathers. One common technique is to submerge the bird in a paraffin and water solution that is heated to 185 degrees. The down and pin feathers come out when the wax is removed after it has cooled.
Certain meat lockers and facilities that process wild game have mechanical or machine pluckers available. By manually pulling feathers in the opposite direction from where they lay, birds can be plucked. Use a trash sack to gather feathers while plucking in the field so you can take them with you.
States have different laws governing the field dressing of game birds and ducks. To identify the sex and species of waterfowl, for instance, some states mandate that the head and a wing remain on the bird. In certain areas, the head of a cock pheasant must be left on.
When hunting in the field, you can remove the entrails before plucking for fast cooling.
Step 2. Get Rid of the Blood
When the weather is warm, fill the empty space with dry grass and firmly press the sides of the opening together. In addition to absorbing the blood, the grass will prevent insects from penetrating the cavity. In cold weather, dont bother. If you leave the cavity open, the meat will cool and become bug-free. By packing snow into the cavity, you can hasten the cooling process. For small game with fur, like rabbits and squirrels, you can use both dry grass and snow.
FAQ
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