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Squab is eaten as a delicacy in some countries, but it can also be survival food; doves and pigeons are numerous in most climates and can be caught relatively easily. This article gives a few suggestions on how to kill, dress, and cook these birds for human consumption.
Steps
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Doves or pigeons can be killed with a spring-loaded BB pistol, an air rifle, a small crossbow (50 pound pull, using 6-inch plastic bolts), or any larger weapon. They can also be netted, baited and trapped, or snared with a variety of other methods. -
Once caught, they should be killed quickly to avoid their unnecessary suffering. A BB through the brain will work, or a simple cutting off of the head.Advertisement -
The head, wings, and feet may be cut off prior to plucking, or it can be done at any point in the process. -
Pluck all the feathers from the bird. It may be easier to skin some birds, but you will lose the layer of fat just under the skin. -
Starting from just below the rib cage, cut up through the bird's breast meat, holding the bird in one hand around its back, and pushing the knife away from you to avoid risk of cutting yourself. There is a hard plate that must be cut through, so a sharp knife helps. -
Empty or cut off the crop: the part of the throat that pre-processes its food. -
Cut down to the anus so that the complete intestine can be removed all at once. Pulling the cut breast apart, pull out its entrails starting with the gizzard. If you wish, you can cut open and clean out the gizzard, so you can eat its meat also. -
You can also remove what is left of the trachea if you wish; part of it came off with the head. It looks something like a worm; it's edible but tough and probably hard to digest. -
Cook the bird. The easiest ways are probably pan frying or boiling. Make sure it's "well done" to avoid risk of parasites. -
Eat and enjoy. Though the taste will vary according to their diet, pigeon meat can be comparable to duck. One bird can be a satisfying meal for one person.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat is the use of eating dove?Community AnswerDove is a lean meat that has a high protein content and tastes great. The lure to eat dove comes partly from the act of harvesting the bird in the wild. It is organic, free-range meat, depending on how good of a shot you are.
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QuestionIs it possible to purchase Dove meat?Community AnswerIt can be found in Chinese supermarkets in Europe. This is going to vary with your country, but look in your local delicatessen store. I must add you should hunt your own if possible.
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QuestionHow does pigeon taste?Community AnswerIt tastes kind of like duck - more oily and richer than chicken.
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Tips
- Desert doves can be found in tree branches and rafters near dawn and dusk on days with little or no wind, particularly on cloudy days. On windy days they tend to cluster in large stands of cholla cactus, scrub oak, and other windbreaks.Thanks
- A cast net, as used for fishing, could possibly net a large number of birds while they are feeding in a city environment, though contact with concrete or asphalt will wear out the net prematurely.Thanks
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Warnings
- Be careful when using an air rifle, crossbow, or any projectile, that the area behind the target is clear to the maximum possible range of the weapon.Thanks
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About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 163,243 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Yes, squab. Had some, very costly, so I'm going to raise my own, work them with herbs for worming just before kill and eat. They are creamy tasting, mild, I wanted more." ..." more
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"Yes, squab. Had some, very costly, so I'm going to raise my own, work them with herbs for worming just before kill and eat. They are creamy tasting, mild, I wanted more."
..."
more
