Small Game

When you hear the word “stampede,” what kinds of animals come to mind? Bulls, elephants, Black Friday shoppers, and wildebeests might make your list, but squirrels probably don’t crack the top 10.

Cottontail hunting is consistently underrated. The practice has declined in popularity over the years, and I can’t see why—it’s exciting, accessible, inexpensive, and offers some of the best table fare you can find in the woods. And while popular practice and opinion may say differently, one person...

Post-holing through knee-deep snow is the preferred method of winter hunting in America. On the other hand, skiing is generally embraced by those who lap groomed runs until the legs give out or the après booze starts flowing. There's nothing wrong with this contemporary version of skiing, but it's...

In Episode 5 of MeatEater Season 10, Steve, Janis, and Clay load up the mules and dogs for an Arkansas squirrel hunt. Here are some of Clay’s best tips and tricks to get squirrels from the woods, skinned, and into the crockpot, preferably served with dumplings. Find the Food, Find the Squirrels Clay...

For as long as I knew her, she was ready to die. Damn her. No one treasured work, love, laughter, family, and devotion more than she did. But for her last 30-plus years, if the bucket were sitting there, you knew she would kick it without fear. Loved ones saw no bravado in her attitude. That was...

It seems like every southern state has adopted the raccoon baculum as their own. You may have heard it called the "Texas Toothpick," "Arkansas Toothpick," or "(insert your favorite state) Toothpick." Regardless of where it originated, the curved penis bone of the raccoon is one of the most unique...

During the survival adventure of a lifetime, I got to experience firsthand what it’s really like to live in the woods without outside help for as long as possible. Of the many things I learned in the Canadian sub-Arctic as a contestant on the History Channel show “Alone,” I found out that rabbit...

As big game seasons close across the country, it’s a good time to turn your focus to small game. Not only are rabbits great table fare, but they also offer an excellent opportunity to sharpen your archery skills. After all, this is probably the time of year when bows are neglected most. Lessons...

On a dark winter night in 1994, my best friend’s uncle taught me how to skin a raccoon using a short rope, two green sticks, and a knife. He emphasized getting green sticks just the right size and not cutting too shallow around the ears and eyes. He didn’t refer to it this way, but the method he...

In my experience, this is the best method for skinning squirrels, especially if they were killed with a shotgun or have a torn-up hide. I call it the “Batesville Method,” but a more descriptive name would be the dip-and-snip. First, dip the squirrel in water. This keeps most of the hair off the meat...

Looking to add some class to your Christmas tree? I can help you do it. Utilizing wild game for food is the primary reason we hunt, but for eons hunters have memorialized the chase by using non-edible parts of the animal for ornamentation. In this video, you’ll learn how to make two types of...

Myths, lies and old wives’ tales loom large in the outdoor pursuits. Here at MeatEater, we’re dedicated to separating facts from bullsh*t, so we created this series to examine suspect yarns. If there’s a belief, rumor, or long-held assumption you’d like us to fact check, drop us a note at...