Cleaning Pheasants

S

Scoob

New member
I usually breast out my pheasants but that sounds like that won't work due to the way the evidence of species and sex must be presented. Bird must be whole it seems.

How is the best way to clean them and in a pinch could I freeze them whole without plucking or gutting and thaw them later and breast them out. Thanks.
 
Scoob, I usually quick-clean my birds in the field. Takes all the work out of it and it allows you to easily leave a wing attached for sexing. If you're not familiar with the quick-clean method, let me know and I can explain.
 
JMBZ71 said:
Scoob, I usually quick-clean my birds in the field. Takes all the work out of it and it allows you to easily leave a wing attached for sexing. If you're not familiar with the quick-clean method, let me know and I can explain.
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If you wouldn't mind explaining I would appreciate it very much. Thanks.

Warner
 
The JMBZ71 Pheasant Quick-Clean

I can’t really take credit for this method. It’s been around for years. The warmer the bird, the easier this method is to perform. I’ve quick-cleaned many birds 3 or 4 hours after the kill but it works best if you can quick-clean it within a couple of hours. If you’ve never tried this method, you’ll be amazed at how well it works and you can clean a bird in 1-2 minutes (or less if you’re really fast). The only items you’ll need are a game shears and a quart-size Ziploc bag.

- Place the bird on it’s back on the ground.
- Spread it’s wings and stand on each wing (place each foot as close to the bird as possible).
- Grab both legs at the very top of each thigh (again, as close to the bird as possible).
- Pull on both thighs with a good amount of force (regrip the thighs if necessary).
- The bird’s legs, head and all entrails will separate from the breast and wings.
- Left on the ground will be a fully intact pheasant breast with both wings attached.
- Clip one of the wings with your game shears, rinse the breast if you have water and throw the breast and remaining wing in your Ziploc bag and drop it in your cooler.
- You can clip the remaining wing, rinse the bird good and place it in a freezer bag when you transfer it from your cooler to your freezer.

That’s all there is to it! ;)
 
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Scoob, If your thinking Montana, 1 leg must be left attached. Not a wing.
I skin the birds and clean in cold water. I cut the tendon in the leg but leave it attached [fits in a plastic bag better] I then put them on ice. Mine are ready for the freezer or pan.:)
 
mnmthunting said:
Scoob, If your thinking Montana, 1 leg must be left attached. Not a wing.
I skin the birds and clean in cold water. I cut the tendon in the leg but leave it attached [fits in a plastic bag better] I then put them on ice. Mine are ready for the freezer or pan.:)
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Thanks. I did notice that Montana had the leg requirement. What do you think if you get stopped travelling through MT with pheasants shot in SD but only the wing is on. With proof of SD hunting license and motel/gas receipts will they bother you or do not transport any birds unless they have leg on?

Warner
 
Scoob... Since your SD NR license reflects the two 5-day periods you select for your hunting, I would think that MT game wardens would not have a problem with this unless you already had their antenna up for other reasons.

I had a similar concern last year while hunting in MN and SD at the same time, although my concern was regarding possession limit rather than sexing. I spoke to 2 SD GFP Conservation Officers who both told me they run into this sort of thing all the time in the border Counties between States.
 
Scoob said:
Thanks. I did notice that Montana had the leg requirement. What do you think if you get stopped travelling through MT with pheasants shot in SD but only the wing is on. With proof of SD hunting license and motel/gas receipts will they bother you or do not transport any birds unless they have leg on?

Warner
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Scoob, I don't think you will have a problem, You have a SD license and the birds are cold. No, Your not likely to be questioned. Don't worry about it.
Hunters are going across states all the time. I am always hunting MT, then crossing ND with Pheasants, just never been a problem.
 
Thanks,

Haven't shot a bird yet, but the local kid who took me out today shot one so it is at pheasant express getting cleaned and frozen with the proper paperwork so all is good. Thanks for your input. Hope to have 3 at Pheasant Express tomorrow.
 
Ok... I know this will make more than a few foreheads wrinkle up. But I've adopted a modified English method. Hanging Pheasants. The English go a bit far for my taste. They hang birds until the head pops off and then clean them. I'm a bit too timid for that. However I do hang my birds for 4-5 days in a special place in my garage. I hunt No. Iowa so usually past opener the temps moderate and my gararge stays in the 40's. If there's a temp spike I clean them quicker. I usually just breast filet them, but occasionally pluck them for the smoker. It really seems to make the meat moister and a bit more tender. I have hung them up to 7 days, but not intentionally. I'm still here to write about it, and the few I've convinced to try it, thank me. One has to remember that the human species is an omnivore and not a full blown predator. We lack the gut enzymes to process/breakdown fresh meat, be it mammilian or whatever. Our ancestors were last to the kill site until we got the sharp stick/ sharp rock thing down. We like our meat right on the cusp of decomposition. I've had several incidents of food poisoning in my past, but never from this. If your squimish... forget it. But my wife will attest that she enjoys pheasant more now, than previously.
 
Let me be the first to say YUK!:eek:
 
Cackleburs said:
Ok... I know this will make more than a few foreheads wrinkle up. But I've adopted a modified English method. Hanging Pheasants. The English go a bit far for my taste. They hang birds until the head pops off and then clean them. I'm a bit too timid for that. However I do hang my birds for 4-5 days in a special place in my garage. I hunt No. Iowa so usually past opener the temps moderate and my gararge stays in the 40's. If there's a temp spike I clean them quicker. I usually just breast filet them, but occasionally pluck them for the smoker. It really seems to make the meat moister and a bit more tender. I have hung them up to 7 days, but not intentionally. I'm still here to write about it, and the few I've convinced to try it, thank me. One has to remember that the human species is an omnivore and not a full blown predator. We lack the gut enzymes to process/breakdown fresh meat, be it mammilian or whatever. Our ancestors were last to the kill site until we got the sharp stick/ sharp rock thing down. We like our meat right on the cusp of decomposition. I've had several incidents of food poisoning in my past, but never from this. If your squimish... forget it. But my wife will attest that she enjoys pheasant more now, than previously.
Click to expand...

Next year I will give it a try. Why not?
 
In my opinion just taking the breast is very wasteful.The thighs are very good and the legs can be used for soup or pheasant and noodles, after you boil them and separate the meat from the ligiments and bone.A little work but worth it after the bird gave up his life. I just skin the bird then take a pair of game shears and cut from the tail to the neck thorgh the back bone and the insides can be taken right out. Quick and easy.
 
Based on the amount of preserve birds I don't do anything but breast them. But I do hang my birds for a minimum of 3 days....I have gone up to 8 with temps in the 40s. It breaks the enzymes down and makes for a much juicier and more tender bird.

I have been doing it for 20 years.... we don't buy any chicken at home.... all pheasant and grouse
 
10-4 on that GK! I've yet to have a problem with hanging them. I've prepared a fresh bird... <24hrs... with a hung bird...5days... when I fed them to my wife, she figured it out and went with the"aged" bird. More tender and moist.
 
Just a question..... Do ya gut the birds before hanging???
 
Nope. No need to. Just cleaned one today from 7 days ago. Outside temps have been in single digits and teens so not much to worry about.
 
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