We all need to eat. When we're out practicing our craft and doing it the right way, we don't take a lot of food with us. Just some salt, coffee or tea, maybe a little flour, and a few spices—perhaps a small emergency ration. We take so little because we're intent on living more off the land. If you're out hunting for winter meat, you still need nourishment until you bring down that big buck. That's where small game comes in!
Rabbits, hares, squirrels, grouse, and ptarmigan are pretty plentiful where we live and not too hard to hunt as long as you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals.
Safety
Before we go any further, it's essential to say this: Learn and practice the rules of firearm safety!
Getting Started
You need to know what’s in your area and start learning their habits. Grouse, for example, aren’t the smartest. There can be four or five of them near each other, and they often don't react when the first couple are taken. Rabbits, on the other hand, tend to disappear when Mr. Wolverine is nearby.
What are you using to hunt your small critters? This is pretty important because even an arrow to the body of a squirrel can ruin a lot of meat. I stick with a .22 or maybe a .410 for most everything, always aiming for a headshot. If I have to use a 12-gauge, I go with as light a load as possible and try not to damage the body. Be quick and clean in your kills, and show respect for the animal.
Cleaning/Skinning
Birds and rabbits don’t need a big knife to clean and process. I can even teach you how to gut a rabbit without a blade at all. Be efficient in your work. Don’t puncture organs or innards that will contaminate the meat, and don't waste the hide unnecessarily. Keep the meat clean and as cool as possible in the field until full processing can be done.
Cooking/Preparation
One of the great things about game meat is that it's very lean and healthy. This lack of fat (except in ducks!) can be a downside too. Since there's so little fat on small game and because of its size, you need to be mindful when cooking. Low and slow is the basic rule here—no high-heat fast searing.
Bonuses
Aside from the meal or two you get from your small game, there are bonuses. The hide you expertly peeled from Mr. Bunny can be used to make glove or boot liners, a pouch, or even a nice length of leather cord. The wings and feathers from Ol' Grouse can be used to make trap baits or for flies and lures.
What's your go-to strategy for hunting small game, and do you have any tips or stories from the field to share? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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