Packaging pheasants?

[bmc]

After you've cleaned your pheasants, how do you freeze them? I had some trouble last year with some of my S. Dakota birds getting freezer burned. I'm thinking of trying freezing them in water in a freezer bag or wrapping them in saran wrap and then wrapping them in freezer paper. Any other ideas?

bmc

[French Spaniel]

I've had the same problem but don't have a answer. I end up cooking them up a lot sooner than I do other stuff in the freezer.

[Dusty]

I highly recommend the food saver system. It uses a heavy plastic bag, removes all the air and seals the bag. I have used it for several years and wouldn't be without it.your food will last much longer and not freezer burn.

[Dr. Bob]

I usually freeze mine in water in 1 gal. freezer bags. It works great. I had some that got lost in the bottom of the freezer and they were still good after 2 years!

[gspman]

Use a half gallon paper milk carton. Put the meat in and fill it with water, close the top, tape it down and freeze it. Voila'. You can get 2 pheasant breasts in one carton. Put the legs in another carton. They stack well and will keep the birds from being freezer burnt for a long time. Good luck.
Gspman

[Nels]

I have had good results double bagging in Ziploc frezer bags and then wrapping in Aluminum foil. I suck the air out of the ziplocs using my mouth.

I have used my inlaws' vacuum saver, and that seems to work quite well, but I am not ready to spend the money yet.

[Gadgetman]

Food saver system works great, the $ spent will be recovered by food that is still in good shape far longer than without it. Dusty have you had trouble with the seal on the bags occasionally letting loose? I have also found that wrapping things in Saran wrap, getting all the air away from the meat, and then putting in a ziplock freezer bag is very effective also

[This message has been edited by Gadgetman (edited 11-11-2003).]

[ccarlson]

One of the tricks for freezing fish and birds in water is to put the game in the freezer bag, fill the bag completely with water, then gently tap the bag on the bottom of the sink to unsettle any air pockets.

Then as you start to zip the bag shut, lower the half you are zipping by pushing downward and letting the water start to spill out. This brings the air to the top unzipped part and as you continue zipping, continue to push down so about 1/3 of the water is pushed out of the bag. By the time you have finished zipping the bag there is no air whatsoever in the bag therefore no freezer burn.

Be sure to label the bag (date, item and where bagged) before you put the game and water in. I also label if one of my kids caught the fish or was with when we bagged the game. That way the meal later becomes a memory and positive experience for the kids as well.

ccarlson

[Dusty]

gagetman,
Yes, I have had sealing problems occasionally. I just make sure I use those first. I also wrap my items in plastic wrap first. That seems to keep the juices and blood from seeping up into the seal. I just saw one offered on Qvc for $75 including some bags. thats as cheap as I've seen.

[Walleye Guy]

The Food saver is the way to go. A couple tips that I recommend for sealing.

Double seal all bags.

If the product (pheasant, fish, whatever) is wet, set it on a cookie sheet in your freezer for half an hour before sealing. All the liquid will freeze and you will get a very nice secure seal on the bag.

Good luck.