Disappointed With Pheasant

[Nyboy]

I am sure my dads family ate squab during the depression. My father said growing up his older brother kept a flock of homing pigeons. I am sure his culls where dinner. My granndmother fed a small army for pennies a day.

 

[Nyboy]

King pigeons are a meat breed, they are about 2x the size of a normal pigeon.

 

[seedcorn]

Anyone ever eat pigeons? My dad used to eat them when he was a kid, living in St Louis, in the 1920's and 30's. "Squab", he said they were called.

Yes. Dark meat. It's OK but wouldn't raise them for their meat.

 

[digitS']

I have shot a few pigeons trying to use our hay barn. They went to the kitchen just like the doves we would shoot.

I raised pigeons for about 10 years. They didn't usually go into a pot - little Birmingham Rollers.

I have shot both valley quail and mountain quail along with grouse. Grouse were quite common where I used to live out in the sticks. Also, I have raised Coturnix quail but only for a couple of seasons.

(This is all making me sound like Bobm! )

Here is my recipe advice on upland birds ... baked in sour cream with onions. If the birds are older, you may wish to boil them first. Milk can be added to the sour cream and a longer baking time can be gained. All sorts of additions - chopped parsley and parmesan cheese are good ones ...

Now, I'll go back to my vegetable soup ... with a beef broth base .

Steve

 

[Jared77]

The problem with game birds is they are easy to screw up. The margin of error is a lot small than on many more "traditional" meat birds.

Usually due to a lower fat content due to their make up, diet, and how they are raised all play into it. Especially truly wild birds vs pen raised ones.

People don't want to put the time into them anymore to get it right.

Quail is good eats, so is squab. Pheasant is really good too. Sorry you had a bad meal. Honestly you need to go to a place that regularly serves it like a hunt club or game preserve where people have experience making these meals. I know Ducks Unlimited and Oheasants forever will sometimes host wild game dinners where chefs who regularly cook these meals are brought in to make a great meal. Would be worthwhile and something you might be something to look into.

 

[majorcatfish]

use to be be a very avid duck and upland bird hunter,lost interest after my lab passed away...tear.... smartest lab i have ever had the privilege to call my friend.
now a days just shoot them with the 35 camera...

 

[seedcorn]

use to be be a very avid duck and upland bird hunter,lost interest after my lab passed away...tear.... smartest lab i have ever had the privilege to call my friend.
now a days just shoot them with the 35 camera...

I'M with you on pheasants though. Loved the hunt more than the eating.

 

[catjac1975]

Years ago my husband and I went out for a fancy dinner. I had never had quail before and ordered it. It was an appetizer which I figured I would share. Out came these 2 tiny birds-the size of a mouse- all I could say when I saw them was, "OH, poor things." And I laughed and laughed. I cannot even remember if they tasted good. What a waste of effort on an animal so small.

 

[seedcorn]

My dad use to say that. The shells to shoot them were worth more than the meat.

 

[bobm]

I have enjoyed many a FINE meal of pheasant , quail , pigeon, dove,jack rabbit, cottontail rabbit, deer, that I have hunted and shot, and my wife prepared / cooked for dinner.