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Jaxom · Senior Member

I start here on AGH wanting to learn how to hunt small game. For various reasons, I have yet to do much of this. This is about to change. And I need some advice.

I have done a google search or three on how to dress out a rabbit/squirrel, and did try this once. Like most things, being the first time out I probably mangled the meat, but I figure with time and practice I'll get better.

I have been given permission to do some tree rat hunting on private property. Property is about 30 minutes from home. My biggest concern is having the meat go bad, because it wasn't dress properly or soon enough.

So my first question has to do as to when you dress them out? If I brought along a lunch cooler with a few of those reusable ice block thingies, can I stuff them in there, and then dress them when I get home. Figuring I'd prob stay until I have a dozen or so critters. Or would I be better of dressing right away.

The other question is about pests. As I understand it, squirrels and rabbits commonly have alot of ticks and or fleas on them. I've read where rabbit hunters usually lay the dead bunnies out on some snow before handling so the blood suckers "abandon ship". Last thing I need to have happen is get bitten by a lyme disease carrying tick or such.

Thanks
Jax

donec · Senior Member

I haven't hunted in a long time (and then not squirrels) but we used to put small game into a cooler with dry ice because the regular ice doesn't stay cold long enough for a day of hunting.

kanyon · Silver Status Member

Get the skin off as soon as possable...
its so easy when still warm....
rabbits...
what I do when in the hills....the second its
dead I cut the gut open...grap it by the ears and
flick it hard..the gut flys out...

Pete

fritz · Silver Status Member

As soon as I retrieve the animal, I get out the knife and a pair of rubber gloves. Gut the animal and throw it in a ziplock bag, along with the dirt gloves (wipe your knife off on the gloves before that). Done deal, put it in the game bag. Of course I was not skinning them in the field, because I didn't use any refrigeration.

Check the critter for signs of disease before and during disassembly. Anything that makes you think twice gets thrown out.

It's not harder to skin a squirrel if it's 5 minutes old, or 2 hours. As long as it's not frozen or getting there, you can peel it off like a glove fairly easily.