I've mentioned in some of the other posts in our Women in Hunting Series that I love to hunt grouse with my bow. Most people hunt for grouse with a shotgun but I prefer my bow since it is more of a challenge and hones my archery skills. The first grouse I harvested this season with my bow was a 20 yard quick kill neck shot while the bird was sitting about 30 feet up in a tree. Some of it was skill but I think there was a lot of luck that played into that shot too!
For those of you who many not be familiar with a grouse, it is a wild upland game bird. There are several different types of grouse in Montana: Sage, Franklin, Ruffed and Blue Grouse. Some mountain species grow as large as an adult chicken; these are my favorite to hunt for and often are found at higher elevations.
| Can you find the grouse in this picture? |
We cook grouse several ways but Wild Grouse in Garlic
Butter is our absolute favorite because it is so tender, juicy and
flavorful. We even like this better than bacon wrapped grouse breasts so
you know it has to be tasty! It is also easy to prepare so after a long day of hunting we can come home and in about 15 minutes have a delicious meal to end the day.
Wild Grouse in Garlic Butter
2 fresh, cleaned grouse breasts
6 TBS butter
3-4 cloves garlic minced
salt
fresh cracked pepper
Cut the grouse breast into strips or bite size pieces about 1/2" wide making sure to cut with the grain of the meat. Place butter,
minced garlic and sliced breast meat into a large cast iron skillet.
Saute until lightly browned, sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked pepper
to taste and enjoy!
We love to pair grouse in garlic butter with green beans from our garden and pour the extra garlic butter sauce on our green beans. Yum!
Have you ever eaten grouse or other upland game birds? How do you like to prepare it?
This is the fourth post in our Women in Hunting Series. If you are a woman who hunts and would like to join in the series and share your story, please contact me at montanasolarcreations @ gmail dot com
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Definitely seems like an easy recipe after a day of hunting!
ReplyDeleteIt really is super easy and such an awesome way to end a day of hunting by being able to eat our yummy harvest :)
DeleteWe love game meat here in our house. I do leave the hunting to my husband and the cooking to me. You are an amazing woman!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelley :) That's great that you eat game meat, even if you're not out hunting yourself it is great to know other families are feeding themselves by wild harvesting game!
DeleteWell I haven't been hunting well, ever. But I do love to shoot skeet. Does that count?? :) Great job bringing down that grouse.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you shoot skeet! I took a Women's Skeet class at the local Trap Club and it was so much fun! It really helped me build my shooting skills and how to hit a moving target which I can also use in other types of hunting.
Deletei've never been hunting but it is common in my family for the men to go out. if you enjoy it, do it! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you have family members who hunt. I know not everyone wants to hunt but it is nice to know of non-hunting folks who are supportive of having others in their family hunt!
Deletethis is awesome! Look so good. When my baby gets a little older I want to go bow hunting, too! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you are interested in going bow hunting! It's a nice alternative to shooting with a gun since that can be really loud which hurts little hears and can also be a bit startling and scary for young kids! When we're out rifle hunting, our baby doesn't come along for those reasons.
DeleteIt is very impressive that you hunt grouse with a bow! I have a crossbow that I use for deer/moose but I actually haven't had the opportunity to shoot anything yet. Nothing comes out when I am crossbow hunting.
ReplyDeleteI pinned your recipe for later. I am definitely going to make that with the next partridges we harvest. My mom just gave me a great partridge soup recipe. I grew up eating it and it always reminds me of home.
That's great that you use a bow to hunt for deer and moose, I'm sure one of these days you'll get one! Partridge Soup sounds really tasty, you should share the recipe!
DeleteI've never had grouse or wild game. I think I've lived a sheltered life. lol It sounds delicious though!
ReplyDeleteIt is never too late to try wild game, maybe if you ask around you can find someone who has some that you can try!
DeleteThanks for linking up your recipe for the Old Fashioned Recipe Exchange! I'm not a big fan of grouse but maybe I've always cooked it the wrong way!
ReplyDeleteHa, that's how I am with duck! If I ever find a good way to serve up duck I think we'll start actively duck hunting but until then I'm sticking to grouse and big game!
Deletei really think hunting is one of the most bestest ways to get close to the animals you're eating. Too often we think of them as only "meat" = product for consumption = loss of connection and choice to eat ethically. I know some people argue "we shouldn't hunt because animals shouldn't die" - but what about the way the animals LIVE before they're killed and put up for sale in the grocery store?? i think you are very brave and very honorable to hunt your own food.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing with us at the Wednesday Fresh Foods Link Up - I hope to see you again this week with more seasonal and real/whole food posts! :) xo, kristy
Thanks Kristy :) I wrote about that in the second post in this series on why I think others should hunt for their own meat!
DeleteThat looks so delicious. Anything that includes a combo of garlic and butter is a "must-eat" in my book. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
ReplyDelete