Know which animals to hunt in a crisis? This information is incredibly important for getting ready for an SHTF event!
The fact is that when a major emergency hits, you better be willing and able to do everything it takes to survive. And that includes hunting game for sustenance.
Now most everybody thinks of the common animals to hunt that are native to their area. But what if you’re in a different state when the big one hits? You better become aware of the wildlife around you, and prepare to take them down quick!
Survival is of the utmost importance when it comes to an SHTF situation. That’s why it’s imperative that you are aware of these…
8 Animals To Hunt In A Crisis
Beaver
The beaver is the largest rodent in North America. And, surprisingly, it tastes delightfully like beef brisket. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to cook beaver, and so a lot of the meat goes to waste.
The trick is to remove the beaver’s oil sacks and castor glands early on when you’re skinning it. This ensures these don’t contaminate the flesh.
One of the best ways to cook this critter is to place its back legs into a slow-cooker alongside potatoes and carrots (or just follow your favorite pot roast recipe). You’ll find the meat breaks apart easily, and has a mild flavor. Plus, it’s just fatty enough for the flavor to be outstanding.
Mallard Duck
Mallard ducks tend to be known as “flying livers.” However, that’s often because the shooter doesn’t know how to cook them correctly. Which is a crying shame – especially since these birds are all over the place.
Duck meat is very delicate, so you need to treat it as such. Plucking the feathers is far better for the meat than trying to skin it, since the skin and fat hold its moisture and fat. Fillet the breast meat, moving away from the duck’s breast plate. Make sure to not remove the wing and leg on either side.
Season the meat with salt and pepper. Then heat up oil in a cast iron skillet until it’s smoking. Sear the duck on each side – about 2-3 minutes on the meat side, and longer on the skin side until it crisps up.
Once the skin is crispy, move the pan into a 350°F oven for six minutes. The meat should be pink on the inside, and should taste delicious.
Turkey
Most people depend on grocery stores to provide this tasty bird. However, in an SHTF event there’ll be nobody to turn to but yourself to take down this big bird.
One of the best ways to shoot a turkey effectively is to lure it over to you. This is called “wooing” the bird – and you do it by making a loud, hen-like call. Once you get this turkey call down, you’ll be able to lure him right into your trap.
Big Horn Sheep
The horns aren’t the only things that are big on this sheep. After all, these giant beasts can weigh as much as 500 pounds. Talk about packing lots of meat! Big Horn Sheep can be found from southern Canada all the way down to Mexico. There’s one subspecies that stays in mountainous areas, while another prefers the desert of the southwest portion of America.
During the winter, Big Horn Sheep have a hard time navigating the snow, and so they stay on steep slopes or cliffs to avoid it. If you catch them during this time, this is a great opportunity to get the perfect shot.
Whitetail Deer
Whitetail deer may be common prey among hunters, but this is for good reason. After all, they consistently offer high-quality meat that isn’t difficult to chew (if you cook it right). Plus, since they’re plentiful, you have plenty to go after when the going gets tough. Get your practice hunting these now so you’re ready when SHTF.
Squirrel
Many people consider squirrels to be too small to be of any real value. However, this can’t be further from the truth. When it comes to availability (plentiful), taste (delicious) and enjoyment to hunt (lots) the squirrel can not be beat.
The meat itself is dense, with deer-running flavors. However, you can add it to a large assortment of dishes – tricky to do with other types of game. For example, you can easily fry it, add it to creamy soups, put it in a slow cooker or cook it on a grill.
To prepare, jus t split the squirrel down its spine, and tenderize it by poking the meat with a fork. You can marinate it in olive oil and lemon juice, and then grill it over coals that aren’t too hot.
Wild Boar
Wild Boars may just look like extra large pigs, but don’t be fooled. These wild animals are large, powerful, and stubborn. They don’t go down easy, and their strong tusks will do some serious damage if given the opportunity. If you do shoot one, you’ll want the shot to be deadly. Otherwise, run for cover!
Wild Boar can be found roaming throughout North America. And, luckily, their numbers are extremely high in certain parts of the nation, and so there’s not a limit set to how many you can take down.
Canada Moose
Canada Moose are normally found in the northern part of the U.S. as well as Canada (go figure). These incredible beasts reach up to 7 feet tall at the shoulder alone, and weigh as much as 1,500 pounds.
The Canada Moose is tricky to hunt, since it tends to be a solitary creature and doesn’t form a herd. These animals may be slow, but don’t let that fool you. They can get aggressive, fast – especially if it’s mating season.
How To Hunt These Animals
Shotgunsand rifles are typically a shooter’s best friend for killing most of these animals. However, some enjoy taking their dogs along with them, especially for things like birds and wild boar.