Kentucky squirrel huntin

[KyBoarSlayer]

Hi y'all,
me and the boy got out on the creek behind the house for a memorable hunt. In Ky, you can hunt squirrel from a boat. and it works quite well. Here's a few bushytails we knocked down, actually he knocked down, i let him do the shooting, i just drove the boat lol. I put in a full choke, as most of the shots are out there at 50 yards or more. Used #6 remington long range shells, and didnt lose a squirrel.

Equally as important , we had an amazing meal of Brunswick Stew, an old Southern recipe. It was spicy, healthy, and downright delicious. Okra, lima beans, corn, potatoes, hot sauce , and other good stuff. Oh yeah, and cornbread too!  I cant remember ever having any better squirrel, it was off the bone and tender, and SO good.

All in all a great hunt.

Billy Jack

[coyote101]

Looks like a great time Billy Jack. 

Pat

[Okanagan]

That sounds like fun, especially with a son!  Any chance of posting that recipe?  It sounds delicious and looks good though I might leave out the okra.  My folks loved it and I picked up many of their southern tastes-- but not for okra.   

[msmith]

Sweet! Looks good. Now you got me hankerin' squirrel pot pie.

[FinsnFur]

Very nice!. Thats quite a haul
Mannnnn that stew looks good

[nastygunz]

Big ole squarrils! We like to float down the connecticut river between NH and VT squirreling, big oaks n cornfields, lotta grays.

[Frogman]

WTG!!  Good to see the young'uns getting out!

Jim

[Dale]

yessir... fine day all around... that Brunswick stew looks absolutely wonderful...   

[KyBoarSlayer]

Thanks, y'all,
and about that recipe, I looked at several sources online,  and combined what i thought were the best of each. I let the squirrels soak in a salt water solution over night in the fridge, i think that helps a lot with pulling the gaminess out. Also got to brown the squirrel in a pan before putting it to the stew. I let it stew for an hour or two, then pull the squirrel out and debone it. then put it back and stew for a while more. Dont add the vegetables, especially okra, till like half an hour before eatin'.
Heres Duck Dynastys version, captures the spirit pretty much, except i cooked on low heat for longer period of time:

Duck Dynasty Brunswick Stew

Print
Ingredients

    3 medium squirrels, cleaned and cut up*
    2 teaspoons salt, divided
    1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
    1 cup flour
    1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    3 tablespoons bacon grease, divided*
    2 medium onions, chopped
    1 green bell pepper, chopped
    4 cloves garlic, minced
    2 (28-oz) cans whole tomatoes in juice
    3 cups chicken broth
    4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
    16 oz bag frozen lima beans
    16 oz bag cut okra
    10 oz bag frozen corn
    1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    1 teaspoon hot sauce, plus additional for serving

Instructions

    Pat squirrel dry and sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
    Combine flour and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish; dredge squirrel in flour mixture.
    Heat 2 tablespoons bacon grease in a wide heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add squirrel and cook 3 minutes per side or until browned. Remove squirrel from pot.
    Heat remaining 1 tablespoon bacon grease in pot. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until tender.
    Add tomatoes, broth, thyme and squirrel. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 45 minutes.
    Stir in lima beans, okra, corn, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Simmer, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes or until thickened and vegetables are tender. Serve with additional hot sauce and cornbread.
    Notes: Substitute 1 (3-lb) whole chicken, cut up, for squirrel, if desired. Vegetable oil may be substituted for bacon grease.

[nailbender]

  Now you did it.  I'm starving for squirrel stew!   Kudos on hunting with your boy, I sure miss those days.

[possumal]

You are bringing back a lot of fond memories for me, Billy Jack. Sharing quality time with your son is as good as it gets.

[JohnP]

My squirrel hunting buddy does a very similar stew, only he does his in a pressure cooker.  He starts by first browning the squirrel, then puts it in the pressure cooker with some red wine, about 10 minutes later all the meat falls off the bones and he then adds all the other ingredients, back on the stove for another ten minutes and it's ready.