Need some small game info...

[Rustic]

Hi Folks,

I'm planning to hunt small game this winter and need some info on how to field dress bunnies and squirrels. Also, how to butcher them. Can you supply a website or books?? All comments are welcome.

Thanks.

[reddogge]

For bunnies just carefully cut the abdomen from the anus to the throat and just simply pull out the heart, liver, stomach and intestines. I skin them by cutting a slit in the back and basically pulling the skin off and cutting the head and feet off. To quarter them cut the front legs and shoulders off, and the back legs and thighs off so you wind up with two front quarters, two hind quarters, and the torso.

For squirrls I'd advise going online and Google skinning squirrels to view the different methods of skinning (there are a few). I usually don't field dress them until after skinning. Quarter them like a rabbit. The hide is tougher than a rabbit and a technique is involded in skinning and is best watched than read.

[Charlie Lamb]

Check the "How To" resources here.

[Rustic]

Thanks for the info.

[gringol]

Bring some latex gloves for the cleaning.  Rabbits can carry some pretty nasty bacteria and viruses.  Cooking thoroughly will make the meat safe, but contact with infected fluids could make you pretty sick.  Tuluremia (spelling) is the main one.

[JimB]

I second that.Latex gloves.Squirrels carry tularemia as well.