Growing up as a kid, wild game was a normal part of eating. Go out, hunt some squirrel, rabbit, catch a mess of fish or during season kill a deer. Once I was grown I pretty much lost all opportunity for hunting, but still do a as much fishing as I can.

Yesterday, however, my dog had a squirrel treed in our back yard in our small pear tree. He was barking like crazy so went out to see what was going on. I was able to shake the tree and the squirrel fell out and the chase was on. Just before he made it to another tree my dog grabbed him and after a few shakes had pretty much killed it. This was probably the 3rd squirrel he has killed in the back yard, but the first I witnessed.

So, my son (10) wanted to eat the squirrel, so I said sure! The wife was not really on board as you might imagine. Skinned him up and tossed it in the fridge till today. Got it out, quartered it up and put it in the pressure cooker for about 40 minutes then flowered and fried it. I tried a bit and tasted like a chicken thigh. Couldn't get the wife to try a piece but the little guy loved it. I can see some squirrel hunting in the future, lol.

Funny thing, this morning my wife looks outside and there is a dead juvenile Opossum on the top of my dogs dog house. I told my son, no way are we eating it!!!! He was a little disappointed, but it had been dead for a while.

BTW, my dog is some sort of large terrier mix that looks like the dog from the movie Benji. My son said we needed to take him hunting and he would bring us a bunch of rabbits! More likely he would run off and we would never see him again.

    Used to eat squirrel, rabbits, deer, and my favorite of all time just killed frog legs. Haven't hunted in years though. Big hunting area in my shit hole county (according to The Professor).
    My neighbors hunt deer and I receive lots of deer sticks and jerky.

      meagain I have a good friend that kills several deer a year. He hooks me up with smoked meat sticks and other processed sausages.

      /not sure why you are calling out other members.....not necessary.

          Dufferman /not sure why you are calling out other members.....not necessary.

          That's what he calls my area where I live. A shit hole county where no one would want to live.
          I could probably find it for you if you don't believe me.

              meagain Ok, but that has nothing to do with this thread, so leave it out please.

                Dufferman
                I've eaten wild game most of my younger life, top choices were deer meat and frog legs, but had rabbit, gator, dove, squirrel, goat (may not consider that game meat but it's damn good) even snake meat.

                    Being raised on a farm, and poor, wild game was sometimes the meat of choice. And it was delicious. Even the groundhog.

                    Now, I'd never touch the stuff. Far too many diseases out there.

                    I've had some pretty good venison recipes. Some very good chili, in particular.

                    Hammer4413 I've had gator a restaurants, not bad, not great. Not sure I've ever had goat or dove. We get lots of doves in the yard too, may have to snipe a few and give them a go!

                      Heading to Orange Beach, AL in a week. Hoping for a bunch of wild sea game! Fish every year, but typically only catch catfish which I can catch at home and get way better filets! Hope for a red or snook this year!

                      Shot a deer this past fall. Made some great dishes with it. Can't wait to do it again.

                        azgreg Speaking of feral cats. My wife feeds the neighborhood cats twice a day. The majority of them are tame and loving even. But, we have one momma cat who had 5 babies recently that are wild as all get out. The momma runs away if you get near and the babies do the same.

                        Unfortunately they found a small opening and are currently living under my house! I am waiting till all 5 kittens and mom are out so I can seal up the opening they are using! Honestly, having wild cats under the house might make sure there are no rat/mice living under there which I have also battled in the past.

                          backinit Deer is good, but has been a long time since I shot one myself. Have gotten quarters from friends that I turned into deer jerky in the past, but not sure I have the freezer space anymore these days.

                              Dufferman I ended up with just over 100 lbs of meat. We took about 15 lbs of trimmings added approximately 8 lbs of pork to it (expanding the meat even more) and made sausage with it. Truthfully, freezer space was tight.