GTA

All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Wild Game Preparation and Recipes Gate => Topic started by: longislandhunter on August 18, 2010, 09:16:24 PM

Title: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 18, 2010, 09:16:24 PM
A couple of members asked me if I could put together a tutorial on how to skin and clean a g-hog.  About a week ago I shot a nice sized g-hog and I took pics of each step of my skinning and cleaning process.  I just finished editing the pics, adding step by step instructions, and they are finally ready to post.  There are a total of 12 pics, posted in step by step sequence and each with notes to explain each step.  I realize that 99% of you GTA hunters already know how to do this but hopefully this will be of some use to the members who want to try eating a g-hog they've shot but don't know how to clean it. I did the best I could with the pics.  Sorry that the instructions on the pics is so small, it looked larger when I edited the pics, but I did the best I could.  Anyway, here's the pics in proper order. 

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/1.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/2.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/3.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/4.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/5.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/6.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/7.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/8.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/9.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/10.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/11.jpg)

(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n260/longislandhunter/13.jpg)

Jeff  

Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: wahoowad on August 18, 2010, 09:44:35 PM
Thanks Jeff, very helpful. May be doing my first this weekend.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: redsoxvw on August 18, 2010, 09:51:40 PM
Wow, thanks for all that info Jeff. Nice pics and good descriptions. This is sweet, thanks for taking the time to post this, I will be using it as a guideline this weekend LOL........Eric
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 18, 2010, 10:10:11 PM
My pleasure, glad you found it useful.  One further tip.... make sure the knife you use is not to large, it should be small enough for you to manuever accurately and also make sure it's scary sharp... and I do mean scary sharp.  If you're not afraid of the blade then it's not sharp enough.  Using this technique it takes me a whole 5 minutes to completely skin a large g-hog. 

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: JimH on August 18, 2010, 10:23:10 PM
Very well done indeed.  A man of many talents.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: redsoxvw on August 18, 2010, 11:37:50 PM
My pleasure, glad you found it useful.  One further tip.... make sure the knife you use is not to large, it should be small enough for you to manuever accurately and also make sure it's scary sharp... and I do mean scary sharp.  If you're not afraid of the blade then it's not sharp enough.  Using this technique it takes me a whole 5 minutes to completely skin a large g-hog. 

Jeff

Dont worry about sharp LOL, I have a professionally honed straight razor, dedicated for this task LOL.....Yup Im old school, I use a badger brush and a Straight on my face as well........I have yet to find a razor sharper than my Wade an Butcher circa 1873
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o93/redsoxvw/razors/126244095_o.jpg)
Cant wait to slice and dice the first Ghog of the year .............Eric
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 19, 2010, 12:00:51 AM
Yup, that there razor will certainly get the job done alright :)

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: only1harry on August 19, 2010, 01:45:28 AM
Very nice presentation Jeff!  Thanks for taking the time to edit and post the steps.  I see there is still fat throughout the meat after it's been quartered.  G-hogs are naturally high in fat I guess.  I have tried a very similar method (among others) on raccoon, but it took me a lot longer than 5min, :)  You must work very quickly.  The 5-incision method on the underbelly/skin was actually my uncle's favorite way of skinning most animals other than squirrel and rabbit.  I watched him skin a few goats and sheep that same way (without cutting the head off), and always taught me to cut from the lowest point on the belly up towards the neck/head.  If I didn't know any better, I 'd be calling you uncle Jeff! (Jimmy was his name)  hehehe  ;D
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Perry on August 19, 2010, 04:24:25 AM
Wow Jeff, you are handy with a knife!
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 19, 2010, 09:07:24 AM
Thanks Perry, thanks Harry.  G-hogs are a tough animal to skin and the hide really clings to the carcass,, this method makes them a breeze to skin.  This is the technique I use to skin out all my deer as well, except the deer I'd have hanging from a gambrel instead of lying on a cutting board.  As for the bit of fat on the meat in the final picture, you can even trim off all of that as well if you'd like as it comes off very easily.  I find that that little bit left on the meat cooks off when the meat is prepared so I don't usually worry about it to much.

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: only1harry on August 19, 2010, 09:59:22 AM
Yeah I figured that little fat would melt on the pan.  I will try this method again on a coon.  I did it the 1st time I got one but then switched to hanging the coons on a hook and trying it that way, but found it a little harder.  Probably because the coon kept spinning and moving around.  I will go back to this method as I think is the easiest with smaller animals.  I think I will be keeping the meat this time and just sell this other guy the skins, although he wants the whole raccoon with meat intact.  This would be a good time to raise my prices, so I can keep the meat :)  If he wants it bad enough, he 'll have to pay  :P  8)
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: The Knot on August 19, 2010, 11:20:31 AM
As the son of a butcher i have to say thats a amazing tutorial on how to work .And i'am jelouse to the fact that i have no axcess to some Ghogs i have lots of room in my smoker for a tasty critter like that. Thanks for the lesson your work in flawless you made it look easy .
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: airiscool on August 19, 2010, 12:01:52 PM
Excellent job Jeff - very clear and concise.  Thank you !!!!

I've printed it out to add to my wild game cook book.

Paul.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 19, 2010, 12:08:32 PM
Thanks "Knot"  :)

Thanks Paul  :)

Harry, like you found out smaller animals like bandits are difficult to work with when they are hanging because due to their relatively light weight they tend to swing around as you work on them.  Hanging works well on larger, heavier animals such as deer because their size and weight work in your favor and keeps them from moving about to much.  I skin all my deer while they are hanging and also most of the butchering with it hanging as well.  Then I'll do the fine cutting and trimming on the larger cuts on my large cutting board.  So you're going to try some bandit meat huh ?  Good for you.  I'll be looking forward to your review on the meat.  

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: bradyman1 on August 19, 2010, 12:32:51 PM
I never realized you could eat groundhog. What do they taste like? (don't tell me........chicken, right :) ) What about racoon, and possum what kind of flavor do they have?
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 19, 2010, 01:12:30 PM
I really enjoy g-hog.  Chicken ?  Nope, don't taste like chicken to me  :)

I find it to have a very nice taste to it.  I really don't know how to describe it other than to say it has a full bodied taste but not overly strong and if handled and cooked properly it's not gamey.  Young ones are very tender and lend themselves exceptionally well to frying or quick cooking methods.  As one would expect the older ones tend to be a bit tougher and are best used in slow/moist cooking methods such as crock pot stews and pot roast.  My absolute favorite is g-hog pot roast.  The meat thoroughly takes on whatever spices you use and it comes out "fall off the bone" tender and melts in your mouth.  You really should try it.   As for raccoon, I like that meat as well.  The ones I ate had a very distinct "wild" taste but not "gamey".  I really liked it.  As for possum, you'd have to ask my hunt brother Ed (Shadow) about that as I haven't had the pleasure to try them yet, but I will if I can harvest one.

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: shadow on August 19, 2010, 08:14:15 PM
Outstanding Jeff and that help's our first time critter skinners out and I skin mine basically the same way. The Bandit's I hang em like a Deer with a catch all pail below. Ed
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Mebits on August 19, 2010, 08:21:37 PM
Jeff, that's very nice work and a wonderful resource.

Well done.

Mark
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Mebits on August 19, 2010, 08:35:11 PM
I'm thinking that recycling my old Gorgonzola recipe (now archived on the old site) will work well with groundhog:

Gorgonzola Bunny
(takes 1/2 hour to prep, and 2-2 1/2 hours to cook.)

For 4 people:

2 large rabbits
2 Tbls Tarragon, divided
1 cup flour
ample salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled and whole
2 bay leaves
3-4 springs of thyme
2-3 onions (based upon taste and size/room)
2 large turnips
3/4 lb carrots (less or more to taste)
2 cups Chicken broth (enough to cover--best quality made with feet*)
1 cup of dry white wine.
1/3 lb Gorgonzola (Italian is better, if it's not really sharp, try Maytag instead)
Fresh Tarragon for garnish or to add to sauce (optional)


First, bone the rabbit. I separate the back legs and then simply cut the meat off each in as large pieces as possible. Then I cut the meat from the front legs, and slice the saddle off both sides. I then cut the loins off by running a sharp blade down either side of the back bone. This is tricky and a bit like filleting fish, pulling the meat out with your thumb and scraping along the spine and ribs with the knife. It's worth the effort however. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, you can cut the whole loin section apart from the ribs and worry about pulling the meat once it's cooked. If you REALLY don't want to bone the rabbit at all, you can have the butcher cut it into pieces, but your guests will have to eat the meat from the bone and some may be squeamish.

Once boned, dredge the rabbit pieces in flour seasoned with 1/2 of the tarragon and ample salt and pepper. lightly brown in a non-stick pan and place in your dutch oven or covered pan. De-glaze pan with wine and pour in with the rabbit pieces.

Peel and coarsely chop the carrot, onion, and turnips. Add to the pot with the rabbit. Add remaining tarragon, thyme, garlic, and bay leaves. Cover with best quality chicken stock, bring to a simmer, and then place in a 350' oven for 1 1/2 hours. Add about 1/3 of the Gorgonzola to the pot, in small pieces. Return the pot to the oven for another 10 minutes or so.

Serve on plates or wide bowls. Arrange the rabbit and vegetables so that you can place small pieces of gorgonzola on each. Pour hot broth from the pot over the pieces of rabbit so that it melts the Gorgonzola into a glaze. Serve with a nice pinot noir and a salad of bitter greens.

Note, if your broth/sauce isn't thick enough, feel free to make a little roux and add into the pot (but not too much!). Bring the sauce to a simmer (not a bad idea anyway, as it will help the Gorgonzola melt when you pour it over the rabbit.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: renowntwo on August 19, 2010, 10:40:03 PM
thanks for instruction with pics
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Progun on August 20, 2010, 01:18:35 AM
Outstanding post Jeff. In this day and age it's awesome to pass along this field craft knowledge to all of our hunters many of which are new to the sport and don't have a handy mentor. You certainly know how to pay it forward. Big kudo's.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: VINNY on August 20, 2010, 02:21:59 AM
That was /is great!! Thank you for sharing with us. I do have a question. How would someone [me  ::)] know if a certain animal has glands or something that should be removed during the process? I heard that squirrels have glands on their legs that have to be removed. Someone should do a " skinning and preparing small game for dummies" book.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 20, 2010, 11:46:05 AM
Thanks Progun, I'm glad some members are finding it useful.  :)

Vinny, that's a good question.  The glands are usually located in the arm pit area of the animal.  This is the case on g-hogs, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and most if not all other small game animals.  After you skin the animal just lift up the arms and take a look.  The glands will usually be a darker shade of brown and will be easily visible.  Best way I can put it is that they will look like a miniature liver, you'll know it when you see it.  Using your knife cut the glands out cleanly and discard.  As for a small game cleaning tutorial, I watched several on "YouTube" that were very good. 

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: sshewins on August 20, 2010, 09:00:07 PM
Now if you could make your own you tube instructional series, it'd be a hit!  Kinda like that guy dressing a nutter from Canada.  Either way, thanks for taking the time to help us "harvest challenged" individuals out!
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Wade.S on August 24, 2010, 12:46:15 AM
Wow, I had no idea that they would have that much fat on one.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 24, 2010, 01:23:13 AM
Yeah, if they're well fed they can pack on the fat real quick.  The one in the pictorial had a good layer of fat but I've had many g-hogs that had even more than that. 

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: only1harry on August 31, 2010, 05:47:02 PM
Don't forget the Groundhog is the only animal in North America that truly hybernates.  So naturally they have to build up a lot of fat so their body can burn it off (slowly) during the winter while they sleep. Most of them hybernate for a full 6 months or more.

I know you 'll ask.. but what about bears?  A bear does not truly hybernate, and they actually don't have to.  In the South many of them don't.  There have been bears in the Northern colder states that can go well into the winter before bedding down for a couple of months.  The Groundhog will stay under from October to the middle-end of March and even into April,  depending when and how much the weather warms up.  There 's been times when it snowed here in early April and I didn't see them until the middle of April when the snow melted and the temps were 50 or above.  They need to get to the grass and will not dig through the snow or come out to feed.  My grass doesn't really get green or start growing until the end of April, so they sometimes stay under for 7 whole months!  So you can see why they build up so much fat.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: lexair on May 24, 2011, 03:32:26 PM
Nice job I like shooting ghogs now i can clean them and have my wife serve them to her family when they come to visit
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: paddlesport on September 21, 2011, 11:35:59 PM
As a newbie to airguns and hunting, this city boy really appreciates the shared knowledge of you good hunters and cooks.  Thanks for the entertaining as well as informative instructions.   8)
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: mav72 on September 24, 2011, 11:44:51 PM
Thanks this is cool... You should make others for this gate on Rabbits, Squirrels, Turkey, Doves, Iguanas, and boars.... 
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: JrSquirreler on March 21, 2012, 03:53:50 PM
Thanks for i nthe info! I actually have a few g-hogs that I need to get rid of!
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Always Learning on August 25, 2015, 10:02:02 PM
Nice Job,
I haven't eaten "Woodchuck" since  high school.
Maybe I will try cleaning one this way if they come around.
This is the first year I haven't been bothered.(Yet, knock on wood)("chuck")

I found I could highlight and copy and paste your whole presentation to word for easy reference.
I was sort of surprised how well it worked.

Thank you for the effort.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on August 25, 2015, 10:28:17 PM
Glad you found it useful :)

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Bicycleman on August 25, 2015, 11:18:09 PM
I suppose that if we had some of those down in Louisiana, we would eat them too.  But I guess I am stuck with squirrels and rabbits.  Aww, shucks!   ;) ;D
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Extreme .457 on November 13, 2015, 12:23:34 AM
   Very interesting guys, I use the tube method and cut the feet and hands off last. I hang by one foot and work it that way. Pulling and skinning as I go. If the critter is nice and warm it goes very quick. In my part of the world we don't have ground hogs or rock chucks. Coons and opossum we have plenty, which are very tasty. Bobcat is very very good too. Grilled, chicken fried or made with red or green chili sauce it's very tasty. I'm new to GTA and I am enjoying these great posts wish I had become a member a long time ago. I love airgun hunting. Here in West Tx. We can't take game animals with an airgun yet! But, we take a lot of predators and ring neck dove, cotton tail rabbits, jacks, pests but........we have exotics here!!!!! Which I have an Orxy, White Fallow and Axis hunt lined up between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'll be using my Extreme.457 and Extreme .308 for these hunts.  I'll post pics and recipes if we have a successful hunt.
    Thnx Guys.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on November 15, 2015, 10:34:32 AM
Hanging by a foot and working down works well also, I've done it a few times.  As you said, no matter what method you use if you can do it while the animal is still warm then the skin does in fact come off the carcass much easier. 

JEff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: YEMX on November 15, 2015, 02:38:46 PM
Great tutorial!  Thanks for this!
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Extreme .457 on November 16, 2015, 01:04:15 AM
I'm thinking that recycling my old Gorgonzola recipe (now archived on the old site) will work well with groundhog:

Gorgonzola Bunny
(takes 1/2 hour to prep, and 2-2 1/2 hours to cook.)

For 4 people:

2 large rabbits
2 Tbls Tarragon, divided
1 cup flour
ample salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled and whole
2 bay leaves
3-4 springs of thyme
2-3 onions (based upon taste and size/room)
2 large turnips
3/4 lb carrots (less or more to taste)
2 cups Chicken broth (enough to cover--best quality made with feet*)
1 cup of dry white wine.
1/3 lb Gorgonzola (Italian is better, if it's not really sharp, try Maytag instead)
Fresh Tarragon for garnish or to add to sauce (optional)


First, bone the rabbit. I separate the back legs and then simply cut the meat off each in as large pieces as possible. Then I cut the meat from the front legs, and slice the saddle off both sides. I then cut the loins off by running a sharp blade down either side of the back bone. This is tricky and a bit like filleting fish, pulling the meat out with your thumb and scraping along the spine and ribs with the knife. It's worth the effort however. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, you can cut the whole loin section apart from the ribs and worry about pulling the meat once it's cooked. If you REALLY don't want to bone the rabbit at all, you can have the butcher cut it into pieces, but your guests will have to eat the meat from the bone and some may be squeamish.

Once boned, dredge the rabbit pieces in flour seasoned with 1/2 of the tarragon and ample salt and pepper. lightly brown in a non-stick pan and place in your dutch oven or covered pan. De-glaze pan with wine and pour in with the rabbit pieces.

Peel and coarsely chop the carrot, onion, and turnips. Add to the pot with the rabbit. Add remaining tarragon, thyme, garlic, and bay leaves. Cover with best quality chicken stock, bring to a simmer, and then place in a 350' oven for 1 1/2 hours. Add about 1/3 of the Gorgonzola to the pot, in small pieces. Return the pot to the oven for another 10 minutes or so.

Serve on plates or wide bowls. Arrange the rabbit and vegetables so that you can place small pieces of gorgonzola on each. Pour hot broth from the pot over the pieces of rabbit so that it melts the Gorgonzola into a glaze. Serve with a nice pinot noir and a salad of bitter greens.

Note, if your broth/sauce isn't thick enough, feel free to make a little roux and add into the pot (but not too much!). Bring the sauce to a simmer (not a bad idea anyway, as it will help the Gorgonzola melt when you pour it over the rabbit.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Extreme .457 on November 16, 2015, 01:05:16 AM
   Tasty!!!! Gotta try it!!
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Geoff on November 16, 2015, 11:45:07 AM
While the chance of me ever seeing a groundhog is very low and the odds I would skin it even lower, thank you for the presentation with photos.   Who knows, someday I may see one, shoot it AND want to eat it and this will be of great help.
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: mentolio on April 17, 2016, 09:18:46 AM
Great tutorial! I tried "peeling" one like a squirrel once...whatta mess that turned out to be. I will use your method on the next one I get, thanx!
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: Verminstalker on April 18, 2016, 02:01:05 PM
Can't believe I have never seen this post! Stumbled on it by accident. Excellent tutorial and photos!
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: wolverine on November 12, 2016, 07:23:17 PM
i didn't know g-hogs are regularly used as table fare. i have a friend with an infestation on his farm.  over the years they have become weary of him
and he went from using an old (1913) bolt action .22 rimfire to a .223 vietnam era m16, to a weatherby 22-250 to reach out and touch them.

even shooting from a blind, 1 shot and they all hide for hours.  we've discussed using air rifles in the blind so not to spook them, but baring starlings and hosps, my mother (1/2 ojibwa) instilled in us as young'ns, only take what you can use and let nothing go to waste.  i never joined in the shooting for this reason.  however, if the meat is indeed tasty, let the pellets fly!
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on November 12, 2016, 08:46:23 PM
They truly are delicious.  The young ones, which are actually very tender, I usually coat in my favorite seasonings and fry.  The older ones I will cook using a slow cooking method such as a crock pot recipe.  G-hog pot roast is one of my absolute favorite wild game meals, it's just amazing.  :)

Jeff
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: wolverine on November 13, 2016, 09:38:38 AM
Although i onlyshoot what I intend to eat, let me say I fully understand the need for pest control. Some critters are very destructive and the most economical way of ridding them is to shoot them. That being said, my sister's hayloft is full of pidgeons. Besides feeding them to the barn cats, has anyone prepared country pidgeons? If I can eat them, well, why not?
Title: Re: How To Skin and Clean a G-hog
Post by: longislandhunter on November 13, 2016, 10:23:52 AM
I've eaten plenty of them and they're great.  I used to have permission to hunt on a farm close to my house and the place was infested with pidgeons.  The flocks of pidgeons feasted every day on the grain that the farmer fed to his ducks (it was a duck farm) so I was given a free hand to take as many as I could.  Long story short...... they are delicious.  You can either breast them out or you can pluck or skin the whole bird.  Breasting them out is the easiest and quickest method.  Wrap the breasts in some bacon and broil or BBQ them as you would a quail or grouse breast and you'll be hooked from the first bite.  The duck farm I hunted on shut down 2 years ago and I'm still trying to find another permission with a pidgeon problem because I really miss feasting on those squabs  :)

Jeff