Step on the wings.....?

[Lefty-Canuck]

When we were kids we used to fight over who got to "pull the pyjamas off the grouse".....sounded cool then, now it's just really creepy!

LC

[pgavey]

x2 for plucking sage dressing and roasting yum yum.

[Huntnut]

Originally Posted by Richard B.

just in case someone did not know this, the bird has to be on its back - I had a friend try this method with the grouse on its front and it did not go well

Not sure what you mean by this. I step on the wings and pull straight up. I hold the bird with the breast towards my legs-works every time.

[Talking moose]

Originally Posted by Huntnut

Not sure what you mean by this. I step on the wings and pull straight up. I hold the bird with the breast towards my legs-works every time.

Try flipping the bird with the breast facing the dirt next time.... that's what his friend did.

[Huntnut]

Originally Posted by Talking moose

Try flipping the bird with the breast facing the dirt next time.... that's what his friend did.

That's the way I do it. The bird starts out with its breast on the ground. Then I pull straight up so it's breast is against my ankles/legs.

[Talking moose]

Originally Posted by Huntnut

That's the way I do it. The bird starts out with its breast on the ground.

Never seen that before. Cool, never realized it worked both ways.

[Attilathecanuk]

My 8 year old son does our grouse by stepping on the wings and pulling (breast up). His short stature sometimes leads to guts on his jacket but he sure has a knack for it!

[Dean2]

A variant on the step on the wings for those with heavy gear that can't get good pressure on the wings: You can also just hold both wing shanks in one had, as close to the breast as possible, and pull both feet with the other hand. Remove head first makes it easier but it will work either way. Face breast away from you so that when it comes apart the guts go out towards the bush.

[xtreme hunter10]

Originally Posted by deerless

Shot another Grouse today. It's no whitetail, but at least I'm not driving home empty handed.
I've seen it on youtube...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXSgUlc9f6I
but I can't get the handle of this "step on the wings, pull on the legs" technique. Every time I've tried it, I've just torn the poor bird in half. The intestines tear and spew all over the meat, and I get feathers all stuck to everything. Not to mention the smell! At least I did it outside this time (had to open all the windows and evacuate the apartment last time!)

How do you guys clean a grouse?

Also, do you guys eat the gizzards? I've been throwing them out, but I tried cleaning and frying one tonight. (like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CxtSkgAEcA) After one nibble, I almost puked and I threw it out. Weird flavor, and hard as rubber.
Do you guys eat these?

I do it every time. I find the only tme it won't work as well is if you gut shoot it. Then it comes apart. Try using headshots. They clean easier that way.