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AR15.COM
9/26/2011 7:59:05 AM EDT
So got me a few squirrels yesterday. Its been a while since I have shot or eaten any. I cleaned the first two. they were fine. but the third one had a really strong odor to it. I don't remember them smelling that bad. So I cleaned them put them in a bag in the fridge to cook to night. but it still has that strong stench. I washed them really well. Any ideas on why this one would smell like that.
9/26/2011 8:44:06 AM EDT
[#1]
Zombie squirrel!!! The meat is already rotten!!

....It's been 3 months since the outbreak started when some poor sole took a bite of an expired hot dog at a quicky mart a zombie squirrel......
9/26/2011 8:45:02 AM EDT
[#2]
Squirrel's have a distinct odor, but i have never had one smell any worse/better than the others...

If one had a very strong odor compared to the others, i would be inclined to not eat the stinky one.


That's assuming it wasn't gut shot or otherwise tainted, which I assume you would've mentioned.
9/26/2011 8:52:52 AM EDT
[#3]
They say the old boar squirrels can stink.  I don't recall them stinking, just a bit tougher even after stewing.  

You can also remove the glands in the forelegs.  Somewhere someone had a good diagram to find the glands tucked in the meat.  Not sure where it went.  Might have been in the old SF forum.
9/26/2011 9:04:20 AM EDT
[#4]
None of them were gut shots. But I will play it safe and pass on the stinky one. thanks for the info.
10/1/2011 9:11:17 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
None of them were gut shots. But I will play it safe and pass on the stinky one. thanks for the info.


Never encountered one that smelled.  Was it a male?


The glands are easy to find... they are basically the fatty looking tissue in the armpit of the squirrel.  You want them out for certain before you cook them.

I soak my squirrels in salt water for at least 24 hours.
10/4/2011 3:29:51 PM EDT
[#6]
Was it black with a white stripe?
10/4/2011 4:14:10 PM EDT
[#7]
don't squirrels have a scent gland on their legs that you need to cut off so it doesn't taint the meat?
10/4/2011 6:38:10 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
don't squirrels have a scent gland on their legs that you need to cut off so it doesn't taint the meat?


Hind legs, no.


There is a gland near the front legs that is gamy.  But it doesn't 'stink'.  

10/11/2011 4:53:16 PM EDT
[#9]
I've never removed anything from my squirrels.
Sometimes I soak them overnight but most of the time I cook them when I get home.  I just simmer them until the meat falls off the bone, then sauce to taste.
10/12/2011 12:19:13 AM EDT
[#10]
I soak squirrels and rabbits in saltwater in the fridge overnight.  That helps.  They both stink pretty bad when you clean them, no matter where you shoot them.