Fast Field Preparation of Pheasant/Game birds

[redskies]

The down feathers should be ok to save and make a pillow, quilt or duvet from. They're all, essentially, just bags, so not difficult. Or even as an insulating layer in a jacket - just wait til you have enough and put them between the jacket and the lining.

The easiest way to clean them is to put them in a pillow case or similar with soap powder/soap then rinse and hang to dry. I have feather pillows that my Grandmother made. They're on our bed. Every so often, they get taken off, boil washed, dried and put back - never had any problems from them. The feathers are, I think, from chickens

[Oldarborman]

Great stuff it's a big help for those who have not done it before, it's the same way I do mine when I can't be fussed with all the plucking when I roast a bird that I have skinned I wrap the bird in a large cabbage leaf (savoy is best) and strips of smoked bacon with all the seasoning wrapped inside it keeps the bird moist and full of flavor

[pseudonym]

I can breast a pheasant quickly

Place the pheasant on its back
Open the wings and stand on them close to the body
Firmly grab a leg in each hand and slowly pull
Remove wings, twist and pull
Done

I use the same method.

[junmist]

thanks just downloaded it no blood so good for me

[dazthechippy]

that's a good simple guide - thanks... Just got my SG licence a few months back, done a bit of clay shooting but when I actually get my SG I hope to get shooting rights on a couple of local farms I can walk to. You never know I might get lucky...

[Steveo82]

I can breast a pheasant quickly

Place the pheasant on its back
Open the wings and stand on them close to the body
Firmly grab a leg in each hand and slowly pull
Remove wings, twist and pull
Done

I use the same method.

When you've got 100+ to do at the end of the day, it's the fastest and cleanest way to breast them. http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 9444,d.ZGU
Using the above method in the pdf is a good starting point. When I get round to it I'm going to produce a guide on how we catch 100s of wild hen birds each year for the eggs. Its a good skill to learn if you want alternatives to firearms.

[Quercus-robur]

We are water conscious when off-grid so using several litres of clean water to clean and flush out a bird isn't really a sensible option so we tend to do the breast only method, it's a lot easier and less messing about.

You make a good point. When I first started reading this thread I was concerned about wasting parts of the bird. But if time or water is an issue your method is a sensible approach.

Qr

[Sheepster]

We never bother with the whole bird just the breast. Trouble is by seasons end your sick of the bl** dy things lol.