View Full Version : Woodpigeon - are they good eating?
I'm gonna be purchasing a Weihrauch hw95k soon and intend to shoot as many woodpigeons on my allotmont as I can.
Question is are these woodpigeons at all risky in regards to eating rare or even raw?
I have learn't recently that raw meat has many health benefits over cooked so if I could have woodpigeon for the mere cost of a pellet then that would save me literally hundreds of pounds a year which would of been spent on gras-fed organic meats which are the only 100% safe meats for raw eating.
Also are there any links or videos on how to pluck and prepare woodpigeons?
tom bombadil
05-07-2009, 02:01 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFiIkulKjJQ
But I love this guys approach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DaQv1quZMs
Nelly.
the itinerant shrubber
06-07-2009, 02:10 PM
Its usual to just take the breast off and give the rest to the dog/ferrets etc.
If you're in the country,approach farmers for permission to shoot. The countryside is being plagued by them at the moment and do as much damage as rabbits.
Sear them in a very hot pan for about thirty seconds on each side.
Don't put any oil in the pan. Put some Olive oil (and sprigs of Thyme) in your hands instead and then massage the skinned breast meat until they're covered, then sear.
If you're determined to eat it raw here are some tartare (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=tartare+recipes&btnG=Search&meta=) recipes.
As for plucking.. you can peel a fresh Woodie..
Poke your finger into the crop area and peel the skin away from the breast before cutting the meat off with a scalpel ;)
Peeling Pigeons (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.channel4.com/food/images/mb/Channel4/4Food/ontv/FWord/series4/episode_08/teach_gordon_a_lesson/teach_gordon_a_lesson_gallery_07--gt_full_width_landscape.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/f-word/pictures/gordon-s-pigeon-hunt-08-07-01_p_7.html&usg=__kx22w6AFLVaUZuVSkieDTBH9Dtc=&h=320&w=492&sz=45&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=DN9eLAdC8E6k_M:&tbnh=85&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpeeling%2Bpigeons%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG% 26um%3D1)
the itinerant shrubber
07-07-2009, 02:09 PM
Do what dedicated pigeon shooters do and de-breast them in the field and leave the rest for Mister Fox.
If you have plenty of water or you're by a water source,you've got yourself an instant meal. Pack a jar of curry paste and bobs your uncle.
john67
07-07-2009, 05:27 PM
Do what dedicated pigeon shooters do and de-breast them in the field and leave the rest for Mister Fox.
As a dedicated woodpigeon shooter I personally take about 3 or 4 carcasses home to make the stock for pigeon pie.
On a more serious note you don't want to be shooting them, (game in general), until September. That way there will be plenty for next year as well.
Good idea dressing them in the field - saves having to get rid of the carcasses when you get home.
I'm still saving up for the hw95, it's taking ages, but I've been doing my research in the meantime and I hear that the HW80 is quite a lot better in accuracy at over 30 yards and can be easily modified to FAC power levels whereas the HW95 is a lot harder to modify?
anyone know anything about this?