HOW DO U FIELD DRESS A GROUSE

[Guest]

Got quit a few grouse around this year were I deer hunt,in Sandstone. Thinkin about going to get a few. But i don't know how to dress them. I just want to take out the breast. Please help with step by step instruction and plaese be as specific as possible. Thanks in advance.

[Goldy]

It's very easy. Put the grouse on the ground, place one foot on each wing and then pull on the feet with light steady pressure. Don't yank or this will be a mess. You must also do this when the bird is warm. You will end up with the breast with the wings attached.

I thought I would share a quick easy pheasant cleaning tip. First cut off the legs, then pull the skin off the breast and part of the back. Make a small cut on both sides of the neck in the back. Hold the breast and pull back on the head with steady pressure. You will be left with the breast and all the guts will go with the body. Clean the legs and cut off the wings for dog training and start the stove.

Hopefully I explained this OK
Eric

[protrapper]

This is the lazy mans way. Why throw legs away when you can eat them. Want and waste.

All you have to do is cut feet, head, wings off and pull skin off then rip out guts if you didnt gut it in field which you should to cool carcass. Just so you know you need head or feet or full wing to transport birds..

[Fisher Dave]

I clean my grouse the same way as posted above (step on the wings and pull the feet). This usually leaves the head on the bird and both wings.

protrapper.. I read your other post on waste.. because many of us dress grouse this way doesnt mean we all are slobs and waste birds that pull apart .. if a bird is busted up that bad I still bring it home and do *surgery* with a fillet knife to save the breast.

Lets not start a shouting match on this topic because everyone doesnt save the legs. In my experience the legs are usually so tiny they tend to dry in most methods of cooking .. and theres not much meat there in the 1st place on most birds.

[MNice]

I stick my thumb right up the old pooper, hook the rib cage, and pull up towards the head. You end up with the breast and wings. VERY easy. I agree about the legs, there's not much meat, but you can still take the legs off if you like.

[BLACKJACK]

I know a lot of people that throw the legs away on pheasants too, which I think is a waste! The thigh/top part of the leg is as good of eating as it gets! People don't like the bony legs, what I do is package my pheasants seperately, breasts in one bag and legs/thighs in another. Use the breasts in any recipe, and plan on roasting the legs slowly with plenty of liquid.

I also feel that good eating starts at the cleaning table, any shot up parts get tossed. Thats why I like to fillet the breast meat off, you can get the shot out easier. Nothing worse than having a guest bite into steel shot!!

[Surface Tension]

I like that precious thigh and leg meat myself. Cut around the leg and wing joints(leave one wing attached) then pull off the skin. Cut the head off and then cut around the shooter. Pull out the guts and PUT THEM AND THE FEATHERS INTO A PLASTIC BAG AND BRING THEM HOME FOR THE GARBAGE.
Don't leave carcasses at the parking area or along the trail.

[Dano2]

I do the same as BlackJack, legs/thighs packaged seperatly, but I will admit i have come home pretty tired and just decided to take the breasts, which I'll admit on MY part is being lazy because I DO like the legs.
Maybe i should start drssing them out before the trip home, like it sounds like most of you do.

[This message has been edited by Dano2 (edited 10-15-2003).]

[Goldy]

Protrapper Where did it say I don't eat the legs? I stated that you cut the legs off first, I didn't say throw them away did I. If you don't cut the legs off first you end up with trying to cut the legs mixed in with all the guts. You ever wonder why some people don't take the time to help other people out.

[Guest]

THIS IS THE WAY I DO IT .I GRAB THE SKIN AND PULL IT UP OFF OF THE BREAST HOLD THE BREAST IN PULM OF MY HAND PUT INDEX FINGER IN BY THE NECK , GRAB NECK AND BACK IN OTHER HAND AND PULL DOWN. THIS TAKES GUTS AND EVERYTHING OUT IN ONE PULL. THEN YOU CAN TAKE LEGS OUT IF DESIRED.I ALSO AGREE WITH GETTING GUTS OUT RIGHT AWAY , IF I DON'T HAVE SOMETHING TO PUT THEM IN IJUST PULL GUTS UTIL LATER

[Coach Dog]

MNice,
"Right up the old pooper" You are hilarious, man!!!

Coach Dog

[Granny]

I also do it the "lazy mans" way. If you do this, make sure you keep your feet as close to the body as possible when stepping on the wings. Clean them as soon as possible! The cooler they get the harder it is to clean them this way. Good luck!