Hi, I recently got a .22 rifle to take care of some problematic groundhogs on my property. I live in more of a city type environment, with wooded areas nearby. What I have not been able to find, is how would I "get rid of the body"? I'm concerned something will eat it and consume the lead and ultimately die. Thanks all
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Beginners question
- Thread starter Backyardbandit
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Sounds good, I can try that. I had planned on trying rabbit which are plentiful around here too. I am a city slicker and I have never skinned or dressed an animal before. It sounds like there are some glands I need to be careful of with the groundhog.
Any advice for chipmunks? They seem too small to eat? Thanks again!
Any advice for chipmunks? They seem too small to eat? Thanks again!
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Double bag and trash. Cat litter boxes are pretty good too. Double bag will hold skunk for several days. Double bag into cat litter box will hold it for a week.
On skinning, there are hundreds of videos on line. Use a sharp knife and be careful with your digits. When I was processing rabbits for the freezer, I hung the animal by two hind legs from a bar. A frame ladder will work, too. Cut a line around the knee and start turning the skin inside out. Pull the skin down until the connective tissue sticks, then lightly touch the sticky spot with the knife. Pull the skin down to the head/front legs. Cut the head and front legs with garden shears. Slip skin off the carcass.
On skinning, there are hundreds of videos on line. Use a sharp knife and be careful with your digits. When I was processing rabbits for the freezer, I hung the animal by two hind legs from a bar. A frame ladder will work, too. Cut a line around the knee and start turning the skin inside out. Pull the skin down until the connective tissue sticks, then lightly touch the sticky spot with the knife. Pull the skin down to the head/front legs. Cut the head and front legs with garden shears. Slip skin off the carcass.
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Super helpful thank you! I have watched a few videos on rabbits, just read an article on the groundhogs. I'll watch some videos this weekend. I need to get a good knife too.
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depends on how big it is lol .. large 'pests' can be problematic to dispose of .. requires tact and special considerations we could probably write up a several page paper about ...
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Look up "push gut" for rabbits. I've never tried it, but dang, that'd be the way I'd do it when I run across one here.
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1] You can always get .22 lead free pellets they work well and then let the critters do the rest. 2] Get a gas auger similar to this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/164936712287? they will make a hole about 2 feet deep just like that and no one will dig them up at that depth.
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Be careful with your knife selection bigger is not always better, I find a three and a half to four inch blade gives you better control. Sharper is however much better more people hurt themselves with knives that aren't sharp enough because they are trying to force the work with the blade. A blade that's sharp only requires a touch or slight pressure to do its job.
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Any suggestions? My current blade is an SOG Micron II which has been great as a keychain knife but don't think its big enough.
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Just leave it out and plenty of animals will make a great meal out of them. I always make sure there is no pellet inside, wear gloves and watch out for flees.
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I've cleaned most of my squirrels but I also threw away a few. I take my own trash to the collection facility but that doesn't matter much. But if squirrels or squirrel guts sit in the sun a few days they don't smell very good. So I store them outside and add them to a trash bag when I am on the way to the collection facility. Never had a problem.
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After cleaning fish or small game, I double bag and throw in the garage freezer, when trash day cones, throw them in the trash !! No smell, no worry, no mess!!
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