Scent glands in small mammals?

[olddogrib]

I'm finally getting around to reading some oldies but goodies.  In Horace Kephart's classic "Camping and Woodcraft" he attests that all small-medium sized mammals have scent glands, "pea-shaped, waxy or reddish kernels under the front legs and the small of the back."  He further states that these should be removed when field dressing to prevent tainting the meat.  Well I'm well on my way longbeardedness(61), grew up hunting rabbits and squirrels with my uncles and have never heard word one about the need to remove scent glands from under critter's armpits.  It's a miracle what with all the tainted meat I've eaten that I'm still around to debate the point. He also expounds upon the need to "bleed" deer and the fact that rabbits "aren't good to eat for several days after killing". Was this just the thinking of the times(1920's) or do some still practice this?  I may be an old dog, but contrary to the saying I do occasionally learn new tricks.

[bucknut]

Yes, I do remove the glands on rabbits and squirrels. Don't know how much it helps but it does reduce the gamey flavor on squirrels. I also do a salt water and vinegar soak on them. I like to hang my deer for at least a week. (walk in cooler) I have read on leaving small game with the internals in them for up to a week but I don't reckon I'm gonna try that one.

[SELFBOW19953]

Same here, I was taught so many years ago to remove the gland from a squirrel's front armpit.

[Lefty]

Rabbits no, but squirrels yes.  At least that has been my teaching.  On a squirrel after you cut the front leg away from the ribcage you can seen the gland.  I just use the knife edge and my thumb to pinch and cut away.  Never noticed this on a rabbit and never taught to remove them on a rabbit by my father or granddad.

[nek4me]

I've got a couple years up on ya, olddog, and also never heard of it mentioned for rabbits or squirrels but have for woodchucks before preparing for the table.

[Rough Run]

Do you remove these glands as soon as you harvest the squirrel, or hours later when you are skinning it?  I've squirrel hunted from the Appalachians to the Ozarks, and never heard of this either.

[bucknut]

When you are skinning.

[Rough Run]

Ok, thanks!  I'll be checking one out come October.

[ChuckC]

A question....if they lie in the meat, under the skin, how are they scent glands ?

[olddogrib]

Okay, I think this post has generated enough curiosity that a dissection video is in order.  I vote for Ron Laclair to do the honors, as he's probably already working hard to stock the freezer for the annual Shrewhaven meal.  How 'bout it Ron?  We want to see some "skwerl armpits"...up close and personal!

[Roadkill]

Most waterfowl have a pea sized oil gland at the base of the tail.  That's what they use to rub oil inthier feathers while preening.  I remove that, both before eating and in the mounting process.  If not the tail rots off
Never saw any in a rabbit-not ant squirrels here

[Zbone]

Groundhogs have like 11 different type glands....