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How to Clean a Partridge in 2 Minutes

Look closely. You can easily see where to cut when cleaning a partridge.
October 31, 2012   Hunting, Maine Outdoors, Wild Harvesting

Share the post "How to Clean a Partridge in 2 Minutes"

The partridge (ruffed grouse) crossed the road in front of me and hid in the dead ferns lining the road. It was too far ahead of me for a good shot so I picked up the pace and got closer. I hadn’t taken my eyes off the ferns so I knew the exact location of the bird, or so I thought. Looking down the barrel, I couldn’t find it. I don’t know how partridge disappear so quickly.

partridge, ruffed grouse

My first partridge (ruffed grouse) of the year.

A few steps later, I heard it walk in the dry leaves on the other side of the ditch. It was out of sight behind hemlocks on my right but to my left, hardwood saplings. If it moved to the left a few feet it would be an easy shot. Fortunately, that’s what happened. Listening as it moved, I side-stepped to the left, found the partridge and fired. Yes! First bird of the season. It was the only bird I shot that day.

“You killed it, you clean it,” Steve said as we walked back to the truck. Until this year, he’s done all the cleaning. We raise chickens and sometimes turkeys for meat each year, and I clean them. This can’t be worse, right?

Cleaning partridge takes no time. Anyone can do this in two minutes or less. Lay the bird breast-side up, pinch the skin between your forefingers and thumbs, and pull. The skin tears easily. Pull the skin back to expose the meat, and remove the meat by drawing the knife against the breast bone.

Look closely. You can easily see where to cut when cleaning a partridge.

Look closely. You can easily see where to cut when cleaning a partridge.

No guts, no blood, no ew.  My seven-year old nephew knows how to properly use a knife, and I’d let him do this. If you want to remove the entire breast you can follow the natural line of the meat where it meets the body.

partridge breast

Anyone can clean a partridge in two minutes or less.

To the official site of Related Posts via Taxonomies.