feels awesome!

[DeepJeep]

Well, I finally did it. I shot my first grouse. Actually first anything. I know it's not much and people have harvested grizzlies and wolves but it felt amazing. I cleaned her at the spot by stepping on the wings and pulling at the legs. Got kind of weird to touch a dead bird but quickly got over it. Cleaned out the breast and legs. Now I know why people don't take legs. Before leaving for my hunt I grabbed a cooler and threw some ice in it. I have never done that before. Don't know why I did it yesterday but it was put to use :)


I was actually out deer hunting but I couldn't pass on this grouse. Went back to deer hunting but was distracted due to my excitement. Just wanted to go home and cook it. Anyways, after putting in my time at my spot I went home and cooked it for dinner.


Feels good.

some pics and a video :


View My Video (http://tinypic.com/r/2v0kisp/9)



http://i63.tinypic.com/4ieasp.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2hmdeg6.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/ve2l2b.jpg
http://i66.tinypic.com/mh9isk.jpg

[wideopenthrottle]

yum yum...looks awesome....nice to get a meal out of the trip at least

[albravo2]

Awesome! Good for you.

You have now connected the dots all the way from planning a hunt to eating a dinner from your hard work.

It is both humbling and exhilarating, right?

[Bugle M In]

There ya go....good job.
Was it tough eating?
I was told to only shoot Males, especially when it come to Ruffed/Franklins.
Anyways, congrats, looks like you did a good job preparing it.

[DeepJeep]

Thanks guys..
it was chewy. A co worker told me to boil it first. I like that idea and will try it next time. It still wasnt bad by any means. Breast was tender but legs were tough muscle fibers. And the leg bones are really brittle.

As albravo mentioned, it was humbling. I stared at the dead grouse for a minute, looked at the head, the eyes, the feathers and just admired it and felt VERY thankful to nature. Great experience.

[albravo2]

I've never heard anyone recommend boiling food before cooking it... perhaps a marinate?

Remember, most people overcook game meats and that will make it tough for sure.

I typically cube my grouse and throw it into a stir-fry or a curry. The other ingredients lend a bit of moisture.

I'm getting hungry just writing this...

[.264winmag]

Same as all game aging helps tenderize, a week in the fridge works great. Slice into strips and bread/fry HOT and short, or LOW and long. Good flavour either way, congrats on your first kill she's a beaut!

[Glenny]

Thanks guys..
it was chewy. A co worker told me to boil it first. I like that idea and will try it next time. It still wasnt bad by any means. Breast was tender but legs were tough muscle fibers. And the leg bones are really brittle.

As albravo mentioned, it was humbling. I stared at the dead grouse for a minute, looked at the head, the eyes, the feathers and just admired it and felt VERY thankful to nature. Great experience.

Most just take the breaststeses. Grouse get tough if cooked too long. try flour egg warsh then the spiced flour again and deep fry for a minute. (Strips) serve with fav dip sass.

[Bugle M In]

Maybe an "Englishman" can tell us.
I'll google it, but somewhere I heard you hang the bird for 4 or 5 days, not sure if you were supposed to gut it or
not (can't imagine not gutting it however), but just what I was told when I was young.
I may have my facts wrong and have forgotten it all......OA (old age)

[AgSilver]

Maybe try a dry (or even wet) brine next time. I did that with my last grouse, but then forgot and seasoned it again before sous viding so it was salty as all get out. Woops!

The one I picked up a couple of weeks ago is in the freezer...gonna sous vide that one, too...with a shorter dry brine this time.

[Linksman313]

Way to go , congrats on your first bird, that Buck is waiting just around the corner for you!!
P.S. Nice grouse rifle setup

[DeepJeep]

thanks guys..i'll clean it up next time and keep it in the fridge. I quickly checked up recipes online before cooking it and they seemed pretty extensive. I think I may have cooked it for too long. Still got a dinner out of it though.

receip was: melted butter, rosemerry, oregano, lime concentrate, little bit of soy sauce, black pepper, pinch of salt, little bit of ketcup to get that sweet/sour taste. turned out to be ok...

[DeepJeep]

Linksman313, I am determined to get a deer this year. At least try my best.

[Ryo]

I eat the breast of grouse medium - 3 minutes a side, tops. Still pink in the middle. Definitely not tough when cooked like this! Snowshoe hare I'll cook all day however.

A lot of people, myself included, are comfortable with eating hunted birds less well-done than domestic ones (I also eat my venison medium to medium-rare). You can do your own research to decide where you fall on the topic. Lots of people don't know that there is even the possibility of eating birds rare, due to our domestic poultry guidelines.

[DeepJeep]

interesting... I was nervous of eating it rare and I love medium rare meat.

I eat the breast of grouse medium - 3 minutes a side, tops. Still pink in the middle. Definitely not tough when cooked like this! Snowshoe hare I'll cook all day however.

A lot of people, myself included, are comfortable with eating hunted birds less well-done than domestic ones (I also eat my venison medium to medium-rare). You can do your own research to decide where you fall on the topic. Lots of people don't know that there is even the possibility of eating birds rare, due to our domestic poultry guidelines.

[dustybeat]

BBQ for a couple minutes a side and a little pink never killed no one. At least not to my knowledge haha

[325]

Congrats! Grouse hunting is FUN! For your next grouse, simply brine the breast overnight in salt water with a touch of vinegar and it will be moist and tender. Alternatively, you can also brine it overnight in Coca Cola....amazing

[caddisguy]

Great pictures! I really need to spread the wings next time I take a photo.

I tried the legs for the first time this weekend. No bad at all!

Congrats on the grouse! I am sure it will be the first of many. Shooting gross never gets old or less tastey IMHO.

[todbartell]

I stared at the dead grouse for a minute, looked at the head, the eyes, the feathers and just admired it and felt VERY thankful to nature. Great experience.

this is great. Enjoy life and good luck moving forward on future hunting adventures

cheers

[DarekG]

Great job!
We have the exact same .22 setup, what an awesome little rifle hey? Deadly accurate for a .22 as well!

You never forget your first kill, no matter how big or small.

[DeepJeep]

great tip and easy enough to follow. thank you... Since it was the first time I was eating grouse I wanted to have it immediately.
Congrats! Grouse hunting is FUN! For your next grouse, simply brine the breast overnight in salt water with a touch of vinegar and it will be moist and tender. Alternatively, you can also brine it overnight in Coca Cola....amazing

[DeepJeep]

The rifle is awesome. And didn't break the bank either. Came with the scope and is perfect for small range shooting.

Great job!
We have the exact same .22 setup, what an awesome little rifle hey? Deadly accurate for a .22 as well!

You never forget your first kill, no matter how big or small.

[DeepJeep]

thank you.

Great pictures! I really need to spread the wings next time I take a photo.

I tried the legs for the first time this weekend. No bad at all!

Congrats on the grouse! I am sure it will be the first of many. Shooting gross never gets old or less tastey IMHO.

[Harvest the Land]

Awesome job Deep Jeep. Is there anything more amazing than experiencing the whole process through from start to finish?

Congrats!

[DeepJeep]

absolutely it was!

I just added a video I made. The grouse was really calm and was at the edge of the road and I took my sweet time to get everything set up. the phone was inside the truck on the dashboard.

Awesome job Deep Jeep. Is there anything more amazing than experiencing the whole process through from start to finish?

Congrats!

[wideopenthrottle]

absolutely it was!

I just added a video I made. The grouse was really calm and was at the edge of the road and I took my sweet time to get everything set up. the phone was inside the truck on the dashboard.

it often works for grouse but dont expect to road hunt deer like that....heheheheh

[two-feet]

I slice up the breast and add it to chili.

[Phreddy]

Maybe an "Englishman" can tell us.
I'll google it, but somewhere I heard you hang the bird for 4 or 5 days, not sure if you were supposed to gut it or
not (can't imagine not gutting it however), but just what I was told when I was young.
I may have my facts wrong and have forgotten it all......OA (old age)
I was a kid in the '50s an old Englishman down the road used to hang pheasants, fully intact, on a post outside his door. When the body fell of the head he then prepared and ate it. It's an old English method.

[Skull Hunter]

I just slice up the breast and make a stir-fry with some veg and some seasonings. Congrats on your first harvest!

[scoutlt1]

Great post and pics!

Last few years it's been hard to resist cooking up grouse at camp the same day they're shot. I like to cut thin slices, season with spices (your choice/preference, I like Montreal steak seasoning), heat up some oil (nice and hot) in the pan, add the meat, throw in some butter and cook just until done. Careful not to overcook.

Probably the tastiest appetizer ever!

Congrats.....and welcome to the nightmare!! :)

[SSG-man]

Definitely hang for a day or 2 in cooler temperatures.

I like to quick fry in bacon with the fat, searing the meat first really hot. Also don't slice the breast open like that, it lets all the juices out when frying or roasting.

[HarryToolips]

Congrats on your first harvest, it is a good feeling....I find the leg meat worthwhile, makes the harvest a little more satisfying, there is also part of the gizzard that's edible, its actually the most tender and tastiest part of the bird I find..

[elch jager]

Hey Deep... Glad to see you popped your cherry. Give me a call if you are in Kelowna this week. I am going back to our spot to kill that WT doe tomorrow evening. Got one in region 4 last week.
S

[DeepJeep]

Hey Deep... Glad to see you popped your cherry. Give me a call if you are in Kelowna this week. I am going back to our spot to kill that WT doe tomorrow evening. Got one in region 4 last week.
S

Hey Steve,
I was thinking about sending you pics directly. I am coming to kelowna tomorrow. Will be there by 4pm latest i think. I'll give you a call when I am close. i am planning on hitting the same spot lol. I can get there directly and meet you there. Bought a truck recently so accessing spots is not a problem.

talkto you soon.

[LupieHunter]

Great job! Next grouse try doing it shake n bake, absolutely delicious!

[DeepJeep]

interesting ideas. Ill definitely wait a bit to cook it next time.

[elch jager]

Perfect. I'll walk you through field dressing a larger aminal...
You can shoot any deer 'cept a mulie doe in 8-10 right now. Assuming you also picked up an appropriate centrefire... otherwise you only get to watch.

[Brambles]

I always debone the breast...fried with seasoning salt and rosemery in olive oil....then let it sit with the lid on in its juices till its cooled a bit......delicious...

[.264winmag]

Maybe an "Englishman" can tell us.
I'll google it, but somewhere I heard you hang the bird for 4 or 5 days, not sure if you were supposed to gut it or
not (can't imagine not gutting it however), but just what I was told when I was young.
I may have my facts wrong and have forgotten it all......OA (old age)

Ole man used to say hang em but the neck until the body falls off LOL

[DeepJeep]

Perfect. I'll walk you through field dressing a larger aminal...
You can shoot any deer 'cept a mulie doe in 8-10 right now. Assuming you also picked up an appropriate centrefire... otherwise you only get to watch.

Steve, I Picked up a 30-06 and have been practising with it at the range. Talk to u tomorrow.

[Looking_4_Jerky]

Deepjeep,


Congrats on the grouse! Killing game is bittersweet. The hunt is satisfying, but it's always sad for me to walk upon an animal and know I'm the reason for its death. I find it's not bad with grouse, but walking up to downed large game can be tough. I get through it by distancing myself from the thought for a while. A chunk of fried tenderloin help ease the pain too!!


Pretty sure your grouse was a female Spruce. Many people find Spruce grouse quite strong in flavor and don't really care for them. You should attempt to find a Ruffed grouse or a Blue grouse and try them. They are more mild and the breasts are light meat as opposed to the Spruce having a dark breast. As a bonus, they're also bigger than Spuce, especially the Blues, which can get quite large!

Have fun out there!

[panhead]

I like my breasts dressed ... congrats
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There are those who know the price of everything, and the value of nothing.

[DeepJeep]

thanks all.