How many to set? (Duck Meat Plans)

[KikiDeAnime]

I've been hunting since I was super young. I haven't hunted in probably 2 years when my husband and I still lived in Texas, but this year we want to put a deer or 2 in the freezer since it's just him and I. We have had deer sent to a processor before which is the easy way out, doesn't cost much and they bag up everything ready to freeze. You can choose what you want the meat processed for, like sausage, steaks, stew meats, and ground deer.
We've also processed our own deer at home before with a meat grinder and some sharp knives. My husband prefers to do it this way because it saves money but it is a little time consuming, although not hard at all if you're used to it. The only difference is that for the sausages and ground deer, I'd definitely add some fat like ground beef or even lard since deer is so lean and doesn't hold up very well unless mixed with beef or fat.
Anyways, deer can be cooked many ways. It's my favorite meat. My favorite is all of it of course. I love the sausage, we make tacos with the ground deer, I love deer stew, and of course chicken fried deer steaks.

As far as a gun, just about any type of rifle works, although I'd use one meant for larger animals like a hunting rifle, a 243 or 223. You could get away with a 22 if you use the right bullets and make a head shot. I probably wouldn't use a shotgun or handgun unless that was all you had...
You can also use bows if that's your thing.

I think the one that my grandfather left for me is a .270?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Have you thought of quail? Just curious, I can PM you more information if you'd like

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Those are good breeds. I have Khaki Cambells and I love the Indian runners too.

I'm hoping at some point to sneak in a WH drake from a breeder so that I can sell some WH females to a lady who sold me some hatching eggs 2 months ago.

 

[Tclloyd0812]

I think the one that my grandfather left for me is a .270?

Oh great! A 270 will definitely do the job. Its actually a higher caliber but works great for just about any big animal hunting (I wouldn't shoot a rabbit or something small with it lol).

 

[Tclloyd0812]

Have you thought of quail? Just curious, I can PM you more information if you'd like

Quail are great meat sources too!

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Oh great! A 270 will definitely do the job. Its actually a higher caliber but works great for just about any big animal hunting (I wouldn't shoot a rabbit or something small with it lol).

Oh, I didn't realize it was a good one. My grandfather has a bunch that was left for everyone but I only got one while everyone else gets their pick of 3.

 

[Tclloyd0812]

Oh, I didn't realize it was a good one. My grandfather has a bunch that was left for everyone but I only got one while everyone else gets their pick of 3.

Yes they are good hunting rifles. I would research the gun's make and model, it should be somewhere near the butt of the gun. It will give you more insight on the range of the gun and the specs as well in case you ever need to replace parts and what not and how to turn safety on and off, what not. I would definitely look into getting ammo for it if you haven't already! It seems we are in an ammo shortage in some places.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

@KikiDeAnime when I first had the idea that I’d like to raise meat birds, I had really only cooked with and ate chicken breast and tenderloins. I started buying whole chickens 1) so I could learn how to break them down as needed, and 2) to force myself to learn to eat every part of the bird. Now we’ve eaten chicken liver, gizzards, hearts, and feet. I had never cooked whole legs or even wings before so it was good to learn before diving in. We don’t waste around here. It took trial and error to learn to prepare the dark meat in a way that the family enjoyed.

I say this to help ensure you like the food you want to raise and because you mentioned not knowing how to cook duck. Duck skin is extremely fatty and has some different techniques required compared to poultry.

I bought a vacuum sealer to package meat for more long term storage as well.

You can usually find duck at Asian grocery stores. Aldi should start carrying duck soon due to the holidays, and other big grocery chains may start carrying duck soon as well.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Yes they are good hunting rifles. I would research the gun's make and model, it should be somewhere near the butt of the gun. It will give you more insight on the range of the gun and the specs as well in case you ever need to replace parts and what not and how to turn safety on and off, what not. I would definitely look into getting ammo for it if you haven't already! It seems we are in an ammo shortage in some places.

Actually there's a small room where the gun safe is that is packed with lots and lots of ammo.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You can usually find duck at Asian grocery stores. Aldi should start carrying duck soon due to the holidays, and other big grocery chains may start carrying duck soon as well.

Supposedly some Wal-Mart's carry it too occasionally