catching own food

[undercovers]

can anyone suggest how i could learn about hunting and preparing (butchering) animals such as pidgeons or rabbits - in east sussex - or should i stick with nipping down to the co-op?

[woofgang]

what puts me off is the parasites that live on and in wild game!!

[andyjevs]

Won't they be destroyed during cooking. I would think that you'd need permission to hunt on any land....even communal land is owned by someone such as the council. If you can get the proper permission, i would think there's nothing more rewarding or tasty than home caught/cooked food PS...where are you in E.Sussex....i'm in Lewes.

[Chessman]

There are plenty of books around on this subject, nip down to your local WHS, and you'll probably find what your after.

[don1]

I once read that pigeons carry all kinds of disease, I would give them a VERY wide berth and in my local market you can buy a rabbit for the price of a pint.

Personally I wouldn't risk it although I have eaten wild duck eggs and trout with no harmful effects

[undercovers]

thank you all, good advice. Hadn't thought too much about parasites, obviously something i should look into - don't know any hunters or poachers but i shall try to befriend a butcher in the hope of being shown the essentials of meat preparation. I also think it would be really rewarding to catch your own dinner - and more honest in away (if you see what i mean).

Andyjevs - i'm near the centre of brighton but love that its so easy to get out into the countryside from here (i'm afraid i'm one of those millions and millions of londoners than moved to the area)

thanks for your help, i'll let you know how i get on if i ever manage to catch anything

[LordyGeordie]

being from the north-east i can't help you with places to go in east sussex but your best bet is to to find somebody who shoots and they'll probably help you out.

there might be a local gun club or shooting syndicate who could help you. try gun magazines or an internet search. as regards the preparation of animals for food, there are plenty of books but it's not the same as learning off somebody first hand.

rabbits are a pest and often farmers will let you on their land to shoot for nothing. but be warned going after other game can be very pricey, unless of course you go poaching.

i wouldn't worry about parasites, as long as what you get is cooked properly there's no danger. game by it's very nature is wild so much of what you get in butchers would have been wild.

there is nothing like catching your own food, apart from the old 'hunter-gatherer' instinct it brings out, it also gives you an appreciation of where your food comes from and a greater respect for the animal. much more so than picking up a styrofoam cling-wrapped packet froma supermarket shelf.

[Poppy]

Why would you want to kill a bunny?!! You baaad man. And how do I know you're a man? Because the only woman who would post such a question like that would be the Queen(and I think she has enough advisors without resorting to asking her humble subjects).

[Eels]

Well, I'm a woman, and I quite delight in using the meat from rabbits my lurcher has kindly brought me - mostly for her dinner, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at the odd bunny stew!